Russian troops in Melitopol plunder $5M farm automobiles from Ukraine — to find they’ve been remotely disabled
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However after a journey of more than 700 miles, the thieves had been unable to use any of the tools -- because it had been locked remotely.
Over the previous few weeks there's been a rising variety of studies of Russian troops stealing farm equipment, grain and even constructing materials - past widespread looting of residences. But the elimination of precious agricultural gear from a John Deere dealership in Melitopol speaks to an more and more organized operation, one which even uses Russian army transport as part of the heist.CNN has learned that the equipment was faraway from an Agrotek dealership in Melitopol, which has been occupied by Russian forces since early March. Altogether it's valued at practically $5 million. The combine harvesters alone are value $300,000 each.
CNN will not be naming a contact in Melitopol acquainted with the details of the case for their own security.
The contact mentioned the method began with the seizure of two combine harvesters, a tractor and a seeder. Over the subsequent few weeks, the whole lot else was eliminated: in all 27 items of farm machinery. One of the flat-bed vans used, and caught on digicam, had a white "Z" painted on it and gave the impression to be a army truck.
The contact mentioned there were rival teams of Russian troops: some would come within the morning and a few in the night.
Some of the machinery was taken to a close-by village, but some of it embarked on a long overland journey to Chechnya greater than 700 miles away. The sophistication of the equipment, that are outfitted with GPS, meant that its journey may very well be tracked. It was final tracked to the village of Zakhan Yurt in Chechnya.
The gear ferried to Chechnya, which included mix harvesters -- will also be managed remotely. "When the invaders drove the stolen harvesters to Chechnya, they realized that they may not even turn them on, because the harvesters have been locked remotely," the contact stated.
The equipment now seems to be languishing at a farm close to Grozny. However the contact stated that "it appears that evidently the hijackers have found consultants in Russia who are attempting to bypass the protection."
"Even when they promote harvesters for spare components, they will earn some money," the contact mentioned.
Other sources within the Melitopol area say theft by Russian military units has prolonged to grain held in silos, in a area that produces tons of of 1000's of tonnes of crops a year.
One source advised 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. None 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 supply stated. "They steal it, take it to Crimea and that is it."
Last week the mayor of Melitopol posted a video showing a convoy of vehicles leaving Melitopol allegedly loaded with grain.
"We now have clear proof that they unloaded grain from the Melitopol metropolis elevator. They robbed the elevator along with private farms," the mayor advised CNN.