Russian troops in Melitopol plunder $5M farm autos from Ukraine — to seek out they have been remotely disabled
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However after a journey of greater than 700 miles, the thieves were unable to make use of any of the equipment -- because it had been locked remotely.
Over the previous few weeks there's been a growing number of stories of Russian troops stealing farm gear, grain and even building supplies - beyond widespread looting of residences. But the removal of invaluable agricultural gear from a John Deere dealership in Melitopol speaks to an increasingly organized operation, one which even makes use of Russian navy transport as part of the heist.CNN has discovered 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 almost $5 million. The mix harvesters alone are worth $300,000 each.
CNN is not naming a contact in Melitopol accustomed to the main points of the case for their very own security.
The contact stated the process began with the seizure of two combine harvesters, a tractor and a seeder. Over the next few weeks, everything else was removed: in all 27 pieces of farm machinery. One of the flat-bed vans used, and caught on digital camera, had a white "Z" painted on it and seemed to be a army truck.
The contact mentioned there were rival groups of Russian troops: some would come within the morning and a few within the evening.
A few of the equipment was taken to a nearby village, but some of it embarked on a long overland journey to Chechnya greater than 700 miles away. The sophistication of the machinery, that are geared up with GPS, meant that its journey may very well 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 may not even flip them on, as a result of the harvesters had been locked remotely," the contact mentioned.
The gear now appears to be languishing at a farm close to Grozny. But the contact said that "it appears that evidently the hijackers have discovered consultants in Russia who are attempting to bypass the safety."
"Even when they sell harvesters for spare components, they may earn some money," the contact mentioned.
Different sources in the Melitopol region say theft by Russian army models has extended to grain held in silos, in a region that produces tons of of thousands of tonnes of crops a year.
One source instructed CNN that "the occupiers are offering local farmers to share their profits 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. Not one of the ports are working. You'll not take this grain from the occupied territory anywhere. "
So Russian forces are merely 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 have clear evidence that they unloaded grain from the Melitopol metropolis elevator. They robbed the elevator along with personal farms," the mayor told CNN.