Russian Police Shut Down Crypto Mining Truck Burning $38K in Power

- Suspects connected truck with 100 mining rigs to power lines illegally. - Operation caused $38,000 in damages; police detained five suspects. On January 13, 2026, Cryptopolitan reported that Russian authorities dismantled a mobile cryptocurrency mining operation in the Republic of Buryatia, halting an illegal setup that caused severe financial damages. The mining farm was concealed in the back of a truck and featured 100 mining rigs that operators had unlawfully connected to the local power grid. As a result, authorities estimate the operation consumed over $38,000 in energy within just a few days. Law enforcement detained five suspects associated with the activity and also confiscated equipment worth approximately 6.5 million rubles. This truck-based operation is part of a rising trend of mobile crypto mining in Russia, as miners use these setups to circumvent stricter regional bans and regulatory measures. This incident is not unique; for instance, in November, Russian officials in Dagestan uncovered another mobile crypto mining farm hidden in a van by using thermal imaging drones to detect the heat signature. Regions like Buryatia and Dagestan have imposed mining restrictions or outright bans because these illegal activities cause escalating power shortages and pressure energy infrastructure. The proliferation of mobile and unorthodox mining setups highlights the difficulties Russian authorities face in maintaining regulatory oversight. As enforcement intensifies and regulations tighten, unauthorized miners are using increasingly inventive strategies to evade detection.