Abkhazia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs Sets Up Special Unit to Combat Underground Mining: Tough Campaign Planned

“Vestnik Kavkaza” reports that Abkhazian authorities have announced the formation of a special Ministry of Internal Affairs unit targeting illegal mining farms. The main objective is to prevent further blackouts, currently reaching six hours a day. The division will include 50 personnel, among them cybersecurity specialists.

Although the operation’s budget remains undisclosed, officials have indicated plans to allocate regional reserve funds to finance ongoing raids. This initiative requires specialized equipment to scan power grids and rapidly detect unusual consumption. Statistics show that in 2024, over 200 unlawfully connected mining machines were seized, totaling more than 300 kW of capacity, which significantly strained local substations.

Many Abkhazian residents support the government’s action due to the persistent power shortages affecting schools, hospitals, and other public facilities. Experts agree that the ministry’s new approach could stabilize the electricity situation if it includes higher fines and swift shutdowns of illegal mining sites. Projections suggest that, by the first half of 2025, the rate of underground mining operations may drop substantially.