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 more than 700 miles, the thieves had been unable to make use of any of the tools -- as a result of it had been locked remotely.
Over the previous few weeks there's been a growing number of experiences of Russian troops stealing farm gear, grain and even building materials - past widespread looting of residences. But the removal of useful agricultural gear 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 removed 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 mix harvesters alone are price $300,000 each.
CNN is just not naming a contact in Melitopol aware of the details of the case for their very own safety.
The contact mentioned the process began with the seizure of two combine harvesters, a tractor and a seeder. Over the subsequent few weeks, every thing else was eliminated: in all 27 items of farm equipment. One of the flat-bed vans used, and caught on camera, had a white "Z" painted on it and gave the impression to be a navy truck.
The contact mentioned there were rival teams of Russian troops: some would come within the morning and some within the night.
A number of the equipment was taken to a close-by village, but some of it embarked on a long overland journey to Chechnya greater than 700 miles away. The sophistication of the equipment, which are geared up with GPS, meant that its travel 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 -- can be managed remotely. "When the invaders drove the stolen harvesters to Chechnya, they realized that they could not even turn them on, as a result of the harvesters have been locked remotely," the contact said.
The equipment now seems to be languishing at a farm close to Grozny. However the contact mentioned that "plainly the hijackers have found consultants in Russia who are attempting to bypass the safety."
"Even when they sell harvesters for spare parts, they may earn some cash," the contact said.
Different sources within the Melitopol region say theft by Russian army units has extended to grain held in silos, in a region that produces a whole bunch of 1000's of tonnes of crops a yr.
One supply instructed CNN that "the occupiers are providing native farmers to share their profits 50% to 50%." But the farmers making an attempt 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 wherever. "
So Russian forces are simply taking the grain, the supply said. "They steal it, take it to Crimea and that's it."
Last week the mayor of Melitopol posted a video showing a convoy of vans leaving Melitopol allegedly loaded with grain.
"Now we have clear proof that they unloaded grain from the Melitopol city elevator. They robbed the elevator together with personal farms," the mayor advised CNN.