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 more than 700 miles, the thieves have been unable to make use of any of the equipment -- as a result of it had been locked remotely.
Over the previous few weeks there's been a growing variety of reviews of Russian troops stealing farm gear, grain and even building materials - beyond widespread looting of residences. But the removing of worthwhile agricultural gear from a John Deere dealership in Melitopol speaks to an more and more organized operation, one which even uses Russian navy 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 combine harvesters alone are value $300,000 every.
CNN will not be naming a contact in Melitopol acquainted with the details of the case for their very own safety.
The contact mentioned the method started with the seizure of two combine harvesters, a tractor and a seeder. Over the subsequent few weeks, all the things else was eliminated: in all 27 items of farm machinery. One of the flat-bed vehicles used, and caught on digital camera, had a white "Z" painted on it and gave the impression to be a navy truck.
The contact mentioned there have been rival groups of Russian troops: some would come within the morning and a few in the evening.
A number of the equipment was taken to a close-by village, however a few of it embarked on a long overland journey to Chechnya more than 700 miles away. The sophistication of the machinery, which are geared up with GPS, meant that its journey could be tracked. It was final tracked to the village of Zakhan Yurt in Chechnya.
The equipment ferried to Chechnya, which included mix harvesters -- can also be managed remotely. "When the invaders drove the stolen harvesters to Chechnya, they realized that they might not even flip them on, as a result of the harvesters have been locked remotely," the contact stated.
The equipment now seems to be languishing at a farm near Grozny. However the contact mentioned that "it seems that the hijackers have found consultants in Russia who're making an attempt to bypass the safety."
"Even if they promote harvesters for spare parts, they are going to earn some cash," the contact mentioned.
Different sources in the Melitopol region say theft by Russian army items has extended to grain held in silos, in a region that produces tons of of thousands of tonnes of crops a yr.
One source informed CNN that "the occupiers are offering native 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 will not take this grain from the occupied territory anyplace. "
So Russian forces are merely taking the grain, the supply said. "They steal it, take it to Crimea and that is it."
Final week the mayor of Melitopol posted a video exhibiting a convoy of vehicles leaving Melitopol allegedly loaded with grain.
"We have clear proof that they unloaded grain from the Melitopol metropolis elevator. They robbed the elevator together with personal farms," the mayor advised CNN.