Russian troops in Melitopol plunder $5M farm vehicles from Ukraine — to search out they’ve been remotely disabled
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However after a journey of more than 700 miles, the thieves have been unable to make use of any of the equipment -- because it had been locked remotely.
Over the previous few weeks there's been a growing number of stories of Russian troops stealing farm tools, grain and even building supplies - beyond widespread looting of residences. However the elimination of useful agricultural gear from a John Deere dealership in Melitopol speaks to an more and more organized operation, one that even makes use of Russian military transport as part of the heist.CNN has learned that the equipment 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 price $300,000 each.
CNN will not be naming a contact in Melitopol conversant in the details of the case for their own security.
The contact stated the method started with the seizure of two combine harvesters, a tractor and a seeder. Over the next few weeks, every part else was eliminated: in all 27 pieces of farm machinery. One of the flat-bed trucks used, and caught on camera, 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 evening.
A number of the equipment was taken to a close-by village, however a few of it launched into an extended overland journey to Chechnya more than 700 miles away. The sophistication of the machinery, that are geared up with GPS, meant that its travel may very well be tracked. It was last tracked to the village of Zakhan Yurt in Chechnya.
The equipment ferried to Chechnya, which included combine harvesters -- will also be managed remotely. "When the invaders drove the stolen harvesters to Chechnya, they realized that they may not even flip them on, as a result of the harvesters had been locked remotely," the contact stated.
The tools now seems to be languishing at a farm close to Grozny. However the contact mentioned that "it appears that evidently the hijackers have discovered consultants in Russia who are attempting to bypass the protection."
"Even if they sell harvesters for spare parts, they may earn some money," the contact said.
Different sources in the Melitopol area say theft by Russian army units has prolonged to grain held in silos, in a area that produces a whole lot of hundreds of tonnes of crops a year.
One source instructed CNN that "the occupiers are offering local farmers to share their income 50% to 50%." But the farmers trying 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'll not take this grain from the occupied territory anyplace. "
So Russian forces are simply taking the grain, the source mentioned. "They steal it, take it to Crimea and that is it."
Final week the mayor of Melitopol posted a video displaying a convoy of trucks leaving Melitopol allegedly loaded with grain.
"We have clear proof that they unloaded grain from the Melitopol city elevator. They robbed the elevator along with private farms," the mayor advised CNN.