Russian Security Council: Western data center threatens Armenia with electricity shortages
Alexei Shevtsov, deputy secretary of Russia’s Security Council, said the Firebird artificial intelligence center in Hrazdan exceeds Armenia’s needs and could cause electricity shortages. The Security Council’s press office reported his remarks.
According to Shevtsov, the center began operating in early August and uses Nvidia processors. He also linked the risks to Armenia’s diversification of its nuclear cooperation. Shevtsov said the United States has not built a single small modular reactor abroad and is not currently building any overseas.
Separately, Shevtsov expressed concern about the data stored on Firebird’s servers. According to RBC, he claims the company is subject to US law and that US intelligence agencies would be able to access data belonging to Armenian government institutions, companies and citizens without the Armenian authorities’ consent.
Shevtsov also suggested that such centers could conduct analytical and intelligence work for Western intelligence agencies against Russia, Iran and countries in the South Caucasus and Central Asia. These assessments concern potential risks for Armenia, not established instances of data access or intelligence activity.