Russian Security Council: Firebird AI`s data center in Hrazdan threatens Armenia`s security

ArmInfo. The Firebird AI data center, opened in Hrazdan, Armenia, poses a security threat to the country because US intelligence agencies could obtain the data it processes, according to Alexey Shevtsov, Deputy Secretary of the Russian Security Council.

"Such centers can be used to conduct analytical and intelligence work for Western intelligence agencies, including against Iran and Russia," he added, according to Vedomosti.

Furthermore, Shevtsov noted that the facility would require a significant amount of electricity to operate. He emphasized that Armenia could face an electricity shortage, which would impact ordinary citizens.

The Deputy Secretary of the Security Council also commented on the republic's government's statements about diversifying cooperation in nuclear energy. According to him, there is no point in relying on Washington to build modular reactors. "I would like to emphasize that the United States has not built, nor is it building, a single small modular reactor abroad," he stated.

Furthermore, France, which is also often mentioned as a potential partner, has not built a single reactor, and Paris does not have small modular reactor technology. Shevtsov recalled that Rosatom, in turn, is building 30 power units abroad, including small modular reactors. "In this regard, the choice, as they say, is obvious," he clarified.

On September 22, Bloomberg reported that the Firebird computing cluster in Armenia is planned to expand to more than 70,000 advanced Nvidia AI chips by the end of 2027. Its capacity is expected to reach 300 MW, making the complex one of the largest in Europe. The data center opened in Hrazdan in August. About 20% of its computing power is planned to be used within Armenia.