Dagestan and Ingushetia have been identified as the leading regions in Russia for losses due to illegal cryptocurrency mining, according to BitMedia. Rosseti Severnyy Kavkaz reported that these North Caucasus regions experienced energy losses exceeding 622 million rubles over nine months, attributed to unauthorized digital asset extraction. Despite a regional ban on mining, low electricity costs and covert operations in basements and orchards perpetuate the issue, with allegations of involvement by corrupt officials and law enforcement. A novel detection method was employed in Dagestan, where a temporary internet shutdown revealed a 3.2 MW drop in energy load, indicating illegal mining activity. Other regions, including Novosibirsk Oblast and areas in the Central and Volga Federal Districts, also reported significant losses, with 400 million and 120 million rubles, respectively.