Russian troops in Melitopol plunder $5M farm autos from Ukraine — to seek out they’ve been remotely disabled
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But after a journey of greater than 700 miles, the thieves have been unable to make use of any of the equipment -- as a result of it had been locked remotely.
Over the past few weeks there's been a growing variety of studies of Russian troops stealing farm tools, grain and even building supplies - beyond widespread looting of residences. But the removal of beneficial agricultural tools from a John Deere dealership in Melitopol speaks to an more and more organized operation, one which even makes use of Russian army transport as part of the heist.CNN has learned that the gear was removed from an Agrotek dealership in Melitopol, which has been occupied by Russian forces since early March. Altogether it's valued at almost $5 million. The mix harvesters alone are value $300,000 each.
CNN shouldn't be naming a contact in Melitopol accustomed to the details of the case for their very own security.
The contact said the process began with the seizure of two mix harvesters, a tractor and a seeder. Over the subsequent few weeks, every part else was removed: in all 27 items of farm equipment. One of the flat-bed vehicles used, and caught on digital camera, had a white "Z" painted on it and appeared to be a navy truck.
The contact said there were rival groups of Russian troops: some would come in the morning and some within the night.
Some of the equipment was taken to a nearby village, but some of it launched into an extended overland journey to Chechnya more than 700 miles away. The sophistication of the equipment, which are outfitted with GPS, meant that its journey could be tracked. It was last tracked to the village of Zakhan Yurt in Chechnya.
The equipment ferried to Chechnya, which included mix harvesters -- can be managed remotely. "When the invaders drove the stolen harvesters to Chechnya, they realized that they might not even flip them on, as a result of the harvesters had been locked remotely," the contact mentioned.
The gear now seems to be languishing at a farm near Grozny. However the contact stated that "it seems that the hijackers have found consultants in Russia who're trying to bypass the safety."
"Even if they sell harvesters for spare components, they'll earn some cash," the contact mentioned.
Different sources within the Melitopol area say theft by Russian military items has extended to grain held in silos, in a region that produces tons of of hundreds of tonnes of crops a year.
One supply advised CNN that "the occupiers are providing local farmers to share their earnings 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 wherever. "
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 trucks leaving Melitopol allegedly loaded with grain.
"We have clear evidence that they unloaded grain from the Melitopol metropolis elevator. They robbed the elevator along with non-public farms," the mayor told CNN.