Russian troops in Melitopol plunder $5M farm automobiles from Ukraine — to search out 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 gear -- as a result of it had been locked remotely.
Over the previous few weeks there's been a rising variety of experiences of Russian troops stealing farm equipment, grain and even constructing supplies - beyond widespread looting of residences. However the removal of helpful agricultural tools from a John Deere dealership in Melitopol speaks to an increasingly organized operation, one which even uses Russian navy transport as a 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'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 details 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 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 stated there have been rival groups of Russian troops: some would come within the morning and a few in the evening.
Some of the machinery was taken to a nearby village, but a few of it launched into a protracted overland journey to Chechnya greater than 700 miles away. The sophistication of the equipment, which are geared up with GPS, meant that its journey could be tracked. It was last tracked to the village of Zakhan Yurt in Chechnya.
The gear ferried to Chechnya, which included mix harvesters -- can also be controlled remotely. "When the invaders drove the stolen harvesters to Chechnya, they realized that they may not even turn them on, as a result of the harvesters had been locked remotely," the contact mentioned.
The equipment now seems to be languishing at a farm near Grozny. But the contact stated that "evidently the hijackers have discovered consultants in Russia who're trying to bypass the protection."
"Even if they promote harvesters for spare components, they may earn some money," the contact mentioned.
Other sources within the Melitopol area say theft by Russian military items has prolonged to grain held in silos, in a area that produces lots of of thousands of tonnes of crops a yr.
One source informed CNN that "the occupiers are providing local farmers to share their income 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'll not take this grain from the occupied territory anywhere. "
So Russian forces are simply taking the grain, the source 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 trucks leaving Melitopol allegedly loaded with grain.
"We have clear proof that they unloaded grain from the Melitopol metropolis elevator. They robbed the elevator along with personal farms," the mayor told CNN.