ChainCatcher news, according to The Block, the Russian power grid company Rosseti Group disclosed that in 2024, losses due to illegal cryptocurrency mining will exceed 1.3 billion rubles (approximately 14.2 million USD). Among them, the North Caucasus region suffered the most significant losses, exceeding 600 million rubles; the Novosibirsk region incurred losses of 400 million rubles.The company has investigated 130 cases of unauthorized access and electricity theft, with the largest case occurring in Novosibirsk, involving 3,200 mining devices and resulting in a loss of 197 million rubles. Currently, over 40 cases are being prosecuted under Russian criminal law.

ChainCatcher news, according to Cryptonews, the police of Dagestan, Russia, in conjunction with energy officials, conducted a raid on an underground cryptocurrency mining hideout located in Makhachkala, discovering 17 mining devices. A video released by the cabinet shows these devices operating in a small space several meters underground.Officials stated that the mining site was operated by "electricity thieves," and miners have begun establishing underground mines and mobile mining units in multiple locations.Additionally, these illegal mining activities caused a fire at the local 110 kV Novaya substation, resulting in power outages in parts of the capital for several days. The government will allocate approximately 3 billion rubles (about 32.5 million USD) for the repair of the damaged energy facilities.

ChainCatcher news, the Libyan Attorney General's office announced on Friday that Libyan authorities have arrested 50 Chinese citizens suspected of participating in illegal cryptocurrency mining activities in the city of Zliten. The statement said that these detainees were engaged in illegal cryptocurrency mining activities in an abandoned iron factory on the western coast of Libya.Additionally, according to the Attorney General's office, 10 Chinese citizens were "caught in the act" and arrested in Misrata on Wednesday, with dozens of mining machines confiscated.Despite an official ban, Libya remains the country with the highest proportion of cryptocurrency mining in Africa, accounting for about 0.6% of global Bitcoin production in 2021. Libya has become an ideal location for cryptocurrency mining due to its low electricity costs, at just $0.004 per kilowatt-hour, which is about 40 times cheaper than in the United States.However, political instability has severely damaged Libya's power grid. Authorities are intensifying efforts to crack down on such activities and investigate other potential mining sites. (source link)