Cryptocurrency mining equipment discovered at South Ukrainian NPP

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) seized equipment for mining cryptocurrencies from the premises of the South Ukrainian Nuclear Power Plant (NPP).

According to local media, the SBU confiscated six Radeon RX 470 GPU graphics cards, a motherboard, power supplies, extension cords, USB, a hard drive and cooling units. The equipment was installed in the sensitive premises of the South Ukrainian NPP and was used for cryptocurrency mining.

According to a statement by law enforcement agencies, due to unauthorized placement of equipment, information about the physical protection of nuclear power plants, which are a state secret, was disclosed.

The equipment was seized on July 10, but the incident became known only this week. According to the investigation, employees of the National Guard of Ukraine involved in the protection of nuclear power plants may be involved in unauthorized mining of cryptocurrencies.

The SBU searched the premises used by the National Guard of Ukraine on the territory of the nuclear power plant. They also found and seized 16 video cards, a system unit with the inventory number of the military unit, seven hard drives, a USB and a router. There is no information about which cryptocurrencies were mined at nuclear power plants.

Illegal cryptocurrency mining is being fought in many countries. In May, it became known that the authorities in the Chinese province of Sichuan are investigating the activities of illegal mining farms.