Russian troops in Melitopol plunder $5M farm autos from Ukraine — to search out they have been remotely disabled
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However after a journey of greater than 700 miles, the thieves have been unable to use 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 constructing supplies - beyond widespread looting of residences. But the elimination of precious agricultural tools from a John Deere dealership in Melitopol speaks to an increasingly organized operation, one which even makes use of Russian military transport as a part of the heist.CNN has learned that the tools was removed from an Agrotek dealership in Melitopol, which has been occupied by Russian forces since early March. Altogether it is valued at nearly $5 million. The mix harvesters alone are price $300,000 every.
CNN shouldn't be naming a contact in Melitopol conversant in the main points 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 subsequent few weeks, every little thing else was removed: in all 27 items of farm equipment. One of many flat-bed trucks used, and caught on camera, had a white "Z" painted on it and gave the impression to be a army truck.
The contact said there have been rival groups of Russian troops: some would come within the morning and some in the evening.
A number of the machinery was taken to a nearby village, however a few of it embarked on an extended overland journey to Chechnya more than 700 miles away. The sophistication of the equipment, which are outfitted with GPS, meant that its journey may very well be tracked. It was last tracked to the village of Zakhan Yurt in Chechnya.
The tools ferried to Chechnya, which included mix harvesters -- may also be controlled remotely. "When the invaders drove the stolen harvesters to Chechnya, they realized that they might not even flip them on, because the harvesters were locked remotely," the contact stated.
The equipment now appears to be languishing at a farm near Grozny. But the contact stated that "plainly the hijackers have discovered consultants in Russia who are attempting to bypass the protection."
"Even if they promote harvesters for spare parts, they'll earn some cash," the contact said.
Different sources in the Melitopol region say theft by Russian military units has extended to grain held in silos, in a area that produces hundreds of thousands of tonnes of crops a yr.
One supply told CNN that "the occupiers are providing native farmers to share their earnings 50% to 50%." However the farmers trying 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 source said. "They steal it, take it to Crimea and that's it."
Final week the mayor of Melitopol posted a video exhibiting a convoy of trucks leaving Melitopol allegedly loaded with grain.
"We've got clear evidence that they unloaded grain from the Melitopol metropolis elevator. They robbed the elevator along with non-public farms," the mayor informed CNN.