Russian troops in Melitopol plunder $5M farm vehicles from Ukraine — to seek out they have been remotely disabled
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But after a journey of more than 700 miles, the thieves had been unable to make use of any of the tools -- because it had been locked remotely.
Over the previous few weeks there's been a growing number of reports of Russian troops stealing farm tools, grain and even building materials - past widespread looting of residences. However the removal of valuable agricultural gear from a John Deere dealership in Melitopol speaks to an more and more organized operation, one which even makes use of 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 almost $5 million. The combine harvesters alone are worth $300,000 each.
CNN will not be naming a contact in Melitopol accustomed to the main points of the case for their own safety.
The contact mentioned the method started with the seizure of two combine harvesters, a tractor and a seeder. Over the next few weeks, every part else was removed: in all 27 pieces of farm equipment. One of the flat-bed trucks used, and caught on digital camera, had a white "Z" painted on it and seemed to be a army truck.
The contact said there were rival groups of Russian troops: some would come in the morning and a few in the night.
A number of the equipment was taken to a close-by village, but a few of it embarked on a protracted overland journey to Chechnya more than 700 miles away. The sophistication of the equipment, which are equipped with GPS, meant that its travel might 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 turn them on, because the harvesters were locked remotely," the contact said.
The gear now appears to be languishing at a farm close to Grozny. However the contact mentioned that "it seems that the hijackers have found consultants in Russia who are making an attempt to bypass the safety."
"Even if they promote harvesters for spare components, they are going to earn some cash," the contact mentioned.
Different sources within the Melitopol region say theft by Russian military items has prolonged to grain held in silos, in a region that produces hundreds of 1000's of tonnes of crops a yr.
One source instructed CNN that "the occupiers are offering local farmers to share their earnings 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 will not take this grain from the occupied territory wherever. "
So Russian forces are simply 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 showing a convoy of vehicles leaving Melitopol allegedly loaded with grain.
"We've got clear proof that they unloaded grain from the Melitopol metropolis elevator. They robbed the elevator together with personal farms," the mayor told CNN.