Russian troops in Melitopol plunder $5M farm autos from Ukraine — to find they have 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 gear -- because it had been locked remotely.
Over the previous few weeks there's been a growing variety of experiences of Russian troops stealing farm gear, grain and even building supplies - beyond widespread looting of residences. But the elimination of beneficial agricultural gear from a John Deere dealership in Melitopol speaks to an more and more organized operation, one that even uses Russian army transport as a part of the heist.CNN has realized that the gear was removed from an Agrotek dealership in Melitopol, which has been occupied by Russian forces since early March. Altogether it's valued at nearly $5 million. The mix harvesters alone are value $300,000 each.
CNN shouldn't be naming a contact in Melitopol acquainted with the small print of the case for their very own safety.
The contact stated the method began with the seizure of two mix harvesters, a tractor and a seeder. Over the following few weeks, every thing else was eliminated: in all 27 pieces of farm machinery. One of many flat-bed vehicles used, and caught on camera, had a white "Z" painted on it and appeared to be a navy truck.
The contact mentioned there were rival groups of Russian troops: some would come within the morning and a few in the evening.
A number of the equipment was taken to a nearby village, however some of it embarked on an extended overland journey to Chechnya greater than 700 miles away. The sophistication of the equipment, which are equipped with GPS, meant that its travel could be tracked. It was final tracked to the village of Zakhan Yurt in Chechnya.
The gear ferried to Chechnya, which included combine harvesters -- can be controlled 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 gear now appears to be languishing at a farm close to Grozny. But the contact said that "plainly the hijackers have discovered consultants in Russia who are attempting to bypass the safety."
"Even when they sell harvesters for spare components, they are going to earn some money," the contact stated.
Different sources within the Melitopol region say theft by Russian military models has extended to grain held in silos, in a region that produces tons of of thousands of tonnes of crops a 12 months.
One supply instructed CNN that "the occupiers are offering local farmers to share their income 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. Not one 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 mentioned. "They steal it, take it to Crimea and that's it."
Last week the mayor of Melitopol posted a video displaying a convoy of vans leaving Melitopol allegedly loaded with grain.
"We've got clear proof that they unloaded grain from the Melitopol metropolis elevator. They robbed the elevator along with private farms," the mayor instructed CNN.