Russian troops in Melitopol plunder $5M farm vehicles from Ukraine — to find 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 -- as a result of it had been locked remotely.
Over the previous few weeks there's been a growing number of studies of Russian troops stealing farm gear, grain and even constructing supplies - past widespread looting of residences. However the removing of valuable agricultural gear from a John Deere dealership in Melitopol speaks to an increasingly organized operation, one which even makes use of Russian army transport as part of the heist.CNN has discovered that the tools 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 value $300,000 every.
CNN is not naming a contact in Melitopol acquainted with the details of the case for their own safety.
The contact mentioned the method began with the seizure of two combine harvesters, a tractor and a seeder. Over the next few weeks, every thing else was eliminated: in all 27 pieces of farm machinery. One of the flat-bed trucks used, and caught on digicam, had a white "Z" painted on it and gave the impression to be a navy truck.
The contact stated there have been rival teams of Russian troops: some would come within the morning and a few in the night.
Some of the equipment was taken to a close-by village, but some of it launched into an extended overland journey to Chechnya greater than 700 miles away. The sophistication of the machinery, that are outfitted with GPS, meant that its travel could be tracked. It was final tracked to the village of Zakhan Yurt in Chechnya.
The equipment ferried to Chechnya, which included combine harvesters -- may 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 stated.
The tools now seems to be languishing at a farm close to Grozny. However the contact stated that "evidently the hijackers have found consultants in Russia who're trying to bypass the protection."
"Even when they sell harvesters for spare parts, they will earn some money," the contact mentioned.
Other sources within the Melitopol area say theft by Russian navy models has prolonged to grain held in silos, in a region that produces a whole lot of 1000's of tonnes of crops a year.
One source instructed CNN that "the occupiers are offering local farmers to share their profits 50% to 50%." But the farmers attempting to work in areas occupied by Russian troops are unable to maneuver 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 mentioned. "They steal it, take it to Crimea and that's it."
Final week the mayor of Melitopol posted a video exhibiting a convoy of vehicles leaving Melitopol allegedly loaded with grain.
"We've clear proof that they unloaded grain from the Melitopol city elevator. They robbed the elevator along with non-public farms," the mayor advised CNN.