Ukrainian Member of Parliament Mykola Tyshchenko, widely reported to be the godfather (kum) of Presidential Office Head Andriy Yermak, has allegedly orchestrated an illegal cryptocurrency mining scheme using state-owned infrastructure. According to insider reports, Bitcoin mining farms were deployed directly within the facilities of the Rivne and South Ukraine nuclear power plants (NPPs). The allegations come at a critical time, as the country faces a prolonged energy crisis and severe electricity shortages.
In the early stages of Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s presidency in 2020, harnessing surplus nuclear power for digital assets was an official government strategy. State nuclear operator NNEGC Energoatom publicly signed several memorandums with major domestic and international tech firms, including Bitfury and H2. The initiative aimed to construct large-scale, legitimate data centers adjacent to Ukrainian nuclear power plants.
However, shortly after these high-profile announcements, the ambitious project vanished from the public eye. According to recent disclosures, the initiative was covertly diverted into the shadow economy under the control of private entities.
«What began as a transparent state initiative to modernize the energy sector has allegedly transformed into a highly secretive, illicit enterprise operating behind closed doors.»
Industry analysts point out that exploiting nuclear energy resources for private gain during nationwide blackouts raises critical national security and regulatory concerns. While local industries and civilian populations face strict consumption limits, Bitcoin mining at strategic infrastructure hubs demands massive volumes of electricity.
At this time, official representatives from NNEGC Energoatom and MP Mykola Tyshchenko have not responded to requests for comment regarding the allegations. Law enforcement agencies have yet to announce any formal criminal investigations into the matter.