Ukraine uncovers mining farm stealing electricity on an industrial scale

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) discovered a mining farm whose organizers were stealing electricity from the regional power grid on an industrial scale.

The farm was found in Cherkasy region. According to the SBU, it was organized by local residents. They illegally connected equipment for mining cryptocurrencies, housed in rented warehouses, to Cherkasyoblenergo’s power grids.

Preliminary estimates put damage from the farm’s operation at more than 6 million hryvnias (over $228,000 at the time of writing). The stolen electricity would have been enough to power about ten apartments for several years, the SBU said.

A criminal case has been opened; the investigation continues.

The SBU noted that it would bolster systematic work to safeguard Ukraine’s energy infrastructure amid rising threats of electricity shortages.

Earlier in September, Ukrainian police discovered that a resident of Kryvyi Rih illegally connected to power grids to mine cryptocurrency.

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