Russian troops in Melitopol plunder $5M farm vehicles from Ukraine — to search out they have been remotely disabled
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However after a journey of more than 700 miles, the thieves were unable to use any of the equipment -- because it had been locked remotely.
Over the past few weeks there's been a rising number of stories of Russian troops stealing farm tools, grain and even building materials - past widespread looting of residences. However the elimination 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 a part of the heist.CNN has learned that the gear 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 combine harvesters alone are price $300,000 each.
CNN isn't naming a contact in Melitopol acquainted with the small print of the case for their very own safety.
The contact mentioned 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 removed: in all 27 items of farm equipment. One of many flat-bed trucks used, and caught on digital camera, had a white "Z" painted on it and appeared to be a army truck.
The contact mentioned there have been rival groups of Russian troops: some would come within the morning and some within the evening.
A number of the equipment was taken to a nearby village, but some of it embarked on an extended overland journey to Chechnya more than 700 miles away. The sophistication of the equipment, that are outfitted with GPS, meant that its travel could be tracked. It was last tracked to the village of Zakhan Yurt in Chechnya.
The equipment ferried to Chechnya, which included mix harvesters -- may also be controlled remotely. "When the invaders drove the stolen harvesters to Chechnya, they realized that they might not even flip them on, because the harvesters were locked remotely," the contact stated.
The tools now appears to be languishing at a farm near Grozny. But the contact mentioned that "it appears that evidently the hijackers have found consultants in Russia who're trying to bypass the protection."
"Even when they sell harvesters for spare components, they may earn some money," the contact stated.
Other sources in the Melitopol area say theft by Russian army items has prolonged to grain held in silos, in a area that produces a whole bunch of 1000's of tonnes of crops a 12 months.
One source advised CNN that "the occupiers are providing native farmers to share their profits 50% to 50%." However the farmers making an attempt to work in areas occupied by Russian troops are unable to maneuver their produce.
"Not a single elevator works. None of the ports are working. You will not take this grain from the occupied territory anywhere. "
So Russian forces are simply taking the grain, the source stated. "They steal it, take it to Crimea and that's it."
Last week the mayor of Melitopol posted a video displaying a convoy of trucks leaving Melitopol allegedly loaded with grain.
"We've got clear evidence that they unloaded grain from the Melitopol city elevator. They robbed the elevator together with private farms," the mayor informed CNN.