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 had been 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 reports of Russian troops stealing farm tools, grain and even constructing supplies - past widespread looting of residences. But the removal of priceless agricultural equipment from a John Deere dealership in Melitopol speaks to an increasingly organized operation, one that even uses Russian army transport as part of the heist.CNN has realized 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 nearly $5 million. The combine harvesters alone are worth $300,000 each.
CNN isn't naming a contact in Melitopol familiar with the main points of the case for their very own security.
The contact said the process started with the seizure of two mix harvesters, a tractor and a seeder. Over the next few weeks, all the things else was eliminated: in all 27 pieces of farm equipment. One of the flat-bed vans used, and caught on digital camera, had a white "Z" painted on it and appeared to be a navy truck.
The contact stated there have been rival groups of Russian troops: some would come within the morning and some in the evening.
A number 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, that are equipped with GPS, meant that its journey may very well be tracked. It was last 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 may not even flip them on, as a result of the harvesters had been locked remotely," the contact said.
The equipment now seems to be languishing at a farm close to Grozny. However the contact stated that "evidently the hijackers have discovered consultants in Russia who are trying to bypass the safety."
"Even if they sell harvesters for spare parts, they may earn some cash," the contact stated.
Different sources within the Melitopol area say theft by Russian army models has extended to grain held in silos, in a area that produces tons of of hundreds of tonnes of crops a 12 months.
One supply advised CNN that "the occupiers are offering local farmers to share their income 50% to 50%." However the farmers attempting to work in areas occupied by Russian troops are unable to move their produce.
"Not a single elevator works. None 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 supply stated. "They steal it, take it to Crimea and that's it."
Final week the mayor of Melitopol posted a video showing a convoy of vehicles leaving Melitopol allegedly loaded with grain.
"We have clear evidence that they unloaded grain from the Melitopol city elevator. They robbed the elevator together with non-public farms," the mayor instructed CNN.