Russian troops in Melitopol plunder $5M farm autos from Ukraine — to search out they’ve been remotely disabled
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But after a journey of more than 700 miles, the thieves were unable to make use of any of the gear -- as a result of it had been locked remotely.
Over the previous few weeks there's been a growing variety of studies of Russian troops stealing farm tools, grain and even building materials - beyond widespread looting of residences. But the elimination of precious agricultural equipment from a John Deere dealership in Melitopol speaks to an increasingly organized operation, one which even uses Russian military transport as part of the heist.CNN has learned that the tools was removed from an Agrotek dealership in Melitopol, which has been occupied by Russian forces since early March. Altogether it's valued at nearly $5 million. The combine harvesters alone are value $300,000 every.
CNN is just not naming a contact in Melitopol conversant in the main points of the case for their own safety.
The contact mentioned the process began with the seizure of two mix harvesters, a tractor and a seeder. Over the subsequent few weeks, every part else was eliminated: in all 27 items of farm machinery. One of many flat-bed vans used, and caught on digital camera, had a white "Z" painted on it and gave the impression to be a military truck.
The contact said there have been rival groups of Russian troops: some would come within the morning and a few within the evening.
A number of the equipment was taken to a close-by village, but a few of it embarked on an extended overland journey to Chechnya greater than 700 miles away. The sophistication of the machinery, which are geared up with GPS, meant that its travel could possibly be tracked. It was last tracked to the village of Zakhan Yurt in Chechnya.
The equipment ferried to Chechnya, which included mix harvesters -- will also be controlled remotely. "When the invaders drove the stolen harvesters to Chechnya, they realized that they may not even turn them on, because the harvesters were locked remotely," the contact stated.
The tools now seems to be languishing at a farm close to Grozny. However the contact mentioned that "it seems that the hijackers have found consultants in Russia who are trying to bypass the protection."
"Even if they promote harvesters for spare parts, they may earn some money," the contact mentioned.
Other sources within the Melitopol region say theft by Russian navy models has extended to grain held in silos, in a area that produces a whole bunch of hundreds of tonnes of crops a year.
One supply informed 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'll not take this grain from the occupied territory anyplace. "
So Russian forces are merely 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 showing a convoy of vans 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 personal farms," the mayor instructed CNN.