Russian troops in Melitopol plunder $5M farm vehicles from Ukraine — to search out they’ve 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 tools -- as a result of it had been locked remotely.
Over the past few weeks there's been a rising variety of studies of Russian troops stealing farm tools, grain and even building supplies - beyond widespread looting of residences. But the removal of beneficial agricultural gear from a John Deere dealership in Melitopol speaks to an more and more organized operation, one which even uses Russian military transport as part of the heist.CNN has learned that the gear was removed 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 mix harvesters alone are worth $300,000 every.
CNN shouldn't be naming a contact in Melitopol accustomed to the small print of the case for their own security.
The contact stated the method began with the seizure of two mix harvesters, a tractor and a seeder. Over the next few weeks, all the things else was eliminated: in all 27 pieces of farm equipment. One of many flat-bed vans used, and caught on digital camera, had a white "Z" painted on it and seemed to be a military truck.
The contact said there have been rival groups of Russian troops: some would come in the morning and a few within the night.
Among the equipment was taken to a close-by village, however a few of it launched into a long overland journey to Chechnya more than 700 miles away. The sophistication of the equipment, which are outfitted with GPS, meant that its travel could possibly be tracked. It was final tracked to the village of Zakhan Yurt in Chechnya.
The tools ferried to Chechnya, which included mix harvesters -- can 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 were locked remotely," the contact mentioned.
The tools now appears to be languishing at a farm close to Grozny. However the contact mentioned that "evidently the hijackers have discovered consultants in Russia who're making an attempt to bypass the protection."
"Even when they sell harvesters for spare parts, they may earn some cash," the contact said.
Other sources within the Melitopol region say theft by Russian army models has extended to grain held in silos, in a region that produces tons of of hundreds of tonnes of crops a year.
One supply informed CNN that "the occupiers are offering native 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. Not one of the ports are working. You'll not take this grain from the occupied territory anyplace. "
So Russian forces are simply taking the grain, the source stated. "They steal it, take it to Crimea and that's it."
Final week the mayor of Melitopol posted a video showing a convoy of trucks leaving Melitopol allegedly loaded with grain.
"We now have clear evidence that they unloaded grain from the Melitopol city elevator. They robbed the elevator along with private farms," the mayor informed CNN.