Russian troops in Melitopol plunder $5M farm automobiles from Ukraine — to search out they have been remotely disabled
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But after a journey of more than 700 miles, the thieves have been unable to use any of the gear -- because it had been locked remotely.
Over the previous few weeks there's been a rising variety of reviews of Russian troops stealing farm tools, grain and even constructing materials - beyond widespread looting of residences. But the removal of priceless agricultural gear from a John Deere dealership in Melitopol speaks to an more and more organized operation, one that even uses Russian military transport as a part of the heist.CNN has learned that the tools was faraway from an Agrotek dealership in Melitopol, which has been occupied by Russian forces since early March. Altogether it is valued at almost $5 million. The mix harvesters alone are value $300,000 each.
CNN is just not naming a contact in Melitopol aware of the main points of the case for their very own safety.
The contact stated the process started with the seizure of two mix harvesters, a tractor and a seeder. Over the subsequent few weeks, everything else was removed: in all 27 pieces of farm machinery. One of many flat-bed vans used, and caught on digicam, had a white "Z" painted on it and appeared to be a military truck.
The contact stated there were rival groups of Russian troops: some would come in the morning and some in the night.
A few of the equipment was taken to a close-by village, however a few of it embarked on an extended overland journey to Chechnya more than 700 miles away. The sophistication of the machinery, which are outfitted with GPS, meant that its travel might be tracked. It was final tracked to the village of Zakhan Yurt in Chechnya.
The gear ferried to Chechnya, which included combine harvesters -- may also be controlled remotely. "When the invaders drove the stolen harvesters to Chechnya, they realized that they might not even turn them on, because the harvesters were locked remotely," the contact stated.
The gear now appears to be languishing at a farm near Grozny. However the contact said that "it seems that the hijackers have found consultants in Russia who are attempting to bypass the protection."
"Even if they sell harvesters for spare components, they may earn some cash," the contact stated.
Other sources in the Melitopol region say theft by Russian military models has prolonged to grain held in silos, in a area that produces a whole bunch of thousands of tonnes of crops a 12 months.
One source informed CNN that "the occupiers are providing native farmers to share their income 50% to 50%." However the farmers trying to work in areas occupied by Russian troops are unable to move their produce.
"Not a single elevator works. Not one of the ports are working. You'll not take this grain from the occupied territory anywhere. "
So Russian forces are simply taking the grain, the source said. "They steal it, take it to Crimea and that's it."
Final week the mayor of Melitopol posted a video displaying a convoy of vehicles leaving Melitopol allegedly loaded with grain.
"We've got clear proof that they unloaded grain from the Melitopol metropolis elevator. They robbed the elevator together with private farms," the mayor instructed CNN.