Russian troops in Melitopol plunder $5M farm automobiles from Ukraine — to seek 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 make use of any of the tools -- because it had been locked remotely.
Over the previous few weeks there's been a rising number of reports of Russian troops stealing farm equipment, grain and even constructing materials - past widespread looting of residences. But the removing of beneficial agricultural equipment from a John Deere dealership in Melitopol speaks to an more and more organized operation, one that even uses Russian navy transport as part of the heist.CNN has realized that the equipment was removed from an Agrotek dealership in Melitopol, which has been occupied by Russian forces since early March. Altogether it is valued at practically $5 million. The mix 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 very own security.
The contact mentioned the method started 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 machinery. One of the flat-bed vans used, and caught on camera, had a white "Z" painted on it and seemed to be a army truck.
The contact said there were rival teams of Russian troops: some would come within the morning and a few within the evening.
Among the equipment was taken to a close-by village, however some of it launched into a protracted overland journey to Chechnya more than 700 miles away. The sophistication of the machinery, which are equipped with GPS, meant that its travel could be tracked. It was last tracked to the village of Zakhan Yurt in Chechnya.
The gear ferried to Chechnya, which included mix harvesters -- can also be managed remotely. "When the invaders drove the stolen harvesters to Chechnya, they realized that they could not even flip them on, as a result of the harvesters had been locked remotely," the contact mentioned.
The gear now appears to be languishing at a farm near Grozny. However the contact stated that "evidently the hijackers have discovered consultants in Russia who're making an attempt to bypass the safety."
"Even when they sell harvesters for spare components, they may earn some money," the contact mentioned.
Other sources within the Melitopol region say theft by Russian army units has extended to grain held in silos, in a area that produces tons of of hundreds of tonnes of crops a yr.
One supply advised CNN that "the occupiers are offering native farmers to share their income 50% to 50%." However the farmers making an attempt to work in areas occupied by Russian troops are unable to move their produce.
"Not a single elevator works. Not one of the ports are working. You will not take this grain from the occupied territory wherever. "
So Russian forces are simply 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 exhibiting a convoy of trucks leaving Melitopol allegedly loaded with grain.
"We've clear evidence that they unloaded grain from the Melitopol metropolis elevator. They robbed the elevator together with personal farms," the mayor instructed CNN.