Russian troops in Melitopol plunder $5M farm autos from Ukraine — to find they have been remotely disabled
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But after a journey of more than 700 miles, the thieves were unable to use any of the tools -- as a result of it had been locked remotely.
Over the past few weeks there's been a growing variety of reviews of Russian troops stealing farm gear, grain and even constructing materials - beyond widespread looting of residences. But the removal of helpful agricultural gear from a John Deere dealership in Melitopol speaks to an more and more organized operation, one that even uses Russian navy transport as a part of the heist.CNN has discovered that the tools was removed 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 combine harvesters alone are worth $300,000 every.
CNN is not naming a contact in Melitopol accustomed to the main points of the case for their very own security.
The contact stated the process started with the seizure of two combine harvesters, a tractor and a seeder. Over the following few weeks, every part else was eliminated: in all 27 items of farm equipment. One of the flat-bed vans used, and caught on digital camera, had a white "Z" painted on it and seemed to be a army truck.
The contact said there have been rival groups of Russian troops: some would come in the morning and a few within the night.
A number of the machinery was taken to a nearby village, however some of it launched into a long overland journey to Chechnya more than 700 miles away. The sophistication of the machinery, which are geared up with GPS, meant that its journey could be tracked. It was final tracked to the village of Zakhan Yurt in Chechnya.
The tools ferried to Chechnya, which included combine harvesters -- can also be managed remotely. "When the invaders drove the stolen harvesters to Chechnya, they realized that they could not even turn them on, because the harvesters have been locked remotely," the contact said.
The tools now seems to be languishing at a farm near Grozny. However the contact said that "it seems that the hijackers have discovered consultants in Russia who're attempting to bypass the protection."
"Even if they promote harvesters for spare parts, they will earn some cash," the contact stated.
Other sources in the Melitopol area say theft by Russian navy items has prolonged to grain held in silos, in a region that produces a whole bunch of thousands of tonnes of crops a yr.
One source advised CNN that "the occupiers are providing local farmers to share their profits 50% to 50%." But the farmers attempting to work in areas occupied by Russian troops are unable to maneuver their produce.
"Not a single elevator works. Not one of the ports are working. You will not take this grain from the occupied territory anywhere. "
So Russian forces are merely taking the grain, the supply mentioned. "They steal it, take it to Crimea and that is it."
Final week the mayor of Melitopol posted a video showing a convoy of vehicles leaving Melitopol allegedly loaded with grain.
"We now have clear evidence that they unloaded grain from the Melitopol city elevator. They robbed the elevator together with private farms," the mayor told CNN.