Russian troops in Melitopol plunder $5M farm vehicles 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 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 growing number of reports of Russian troops stealing farm equipment, grain and even constructing supplies - beyond widespread looting of residences. However the elimination of helpful agricultural equipment from a John Deere dealership in Melitopol speaks to an more and more organized operation, one which even makes use of Russian military transport as part of the heist.CNN has realized that the tools 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 combine harvesters alone are worth $300,000 each.
CNN isn't naming a contact in Melitopol accustomed to the main points of the case for their very own security.
The contact mentioned the process started with the seizure of two mix harvesters, a tractor and a seeder. Over the following few weeks, every part else was removed: in all 27 pieces of farm machinery. One of many flat-bed vans used, and caught on digicam, had a white "Z" painted on it and seemed to be a military truck.
The contact stated there have been rival teams of Russian troops: some would come within the morning and a few within the evening.
A few of the machinery was taken to a close-by village, but a few of it embarked on a protracted overland journey to Chechnya greater than 700 miles away. The sophistication of the equipment, that are geared up with GPS, meant that its journey could possibly be tracked. It was final tracked to the village of Zakhan Yurt in Chechnya.
The gear ferried to Chechnya, which included combine harvesters -- can also be managed remotely. "When the invaders drove the stolen harvesters to Chechnya, they realized that they could not even turn them on, because the harvesters were locked remotely," the contact said.
The equipment now appears to be languishing at a farm near Grozny. However the contact said that "it appears that evidently the hijackers have found consultants in Russia who're trying to bypass the protection."
"Even when they promote harvesters for spare elements, they will earn some cash," the contact mentioned.
Different sources within the Melitopol area say theft by Russian navy units has prolonged to grain held in silos, in a area that produces a whole lot of hundreds of tonnes of crops a yr.
One supply advised CNN that "the occupiers are providing local farmers to share their profits 50% to 50%." However the farmers attempting 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 wherever. "
So Russian forces are merely 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 displaying a convoy of vehicles leaving Melitopol allegedly loaded with grain.
"We now have clear evidence that they unloaded grain from the Melitopol metropolis elevator. They robbed the elevator along with personal farms," the mayor told CNN.