Russian troops in Melitopol plunder $5M farm autos from Ukraine — to find they have been remotely disabled
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However after a journey of more than 700 miles, the thieves have been unable to use any of the tools -- because it had been locked remotely.
Over the previous few weeks there's been a growing variety of experiences of Russian troops stealing farm tools, grain and even constructing supplies - past widespread looting of residences. However the elimination of worthwhile agricultural tools from a John Deere dealership in Melitopol speaks to an increasingly organized operation, one which even makes use of Russian navy transport as a 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 nearly $5 million. The combine harvesters alone are worth $300,000 every.
CNN isn't naming a contact in Melitopol familiar with the small print of the case for their own safety.
The contact mentioned the process started with the seizure of two mix harvesters, a tractor and a seeder. Over the following few weeks, all the pieces else was eliminated: in all 27 pieces of farm machinery. One of many flat-bed vans used, and caught on camera, had a white "Z" painted on it and gave the impression to be a army truck.
The contact stated there have been rival teams of Russian troops: some would come within the morning and some within the evening.
Some of the equipment was taken to a close-by village, however a few of it launched into a protracted overland journey to Chechnya more than 700 miles away. The sophistication of the machinery, that are outfitted with GPS, meant that its travel could 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 controlled remotely. "When the invaders drove the stolen harvesters to Chechnya, they realized that they might not even turn them on, as a result of the harvesters have been locked remotely," the contact stated.
The gear now appears to be languishing at a farm near Grozny. But the contact stated that "it seems that the hijackers have discovered consultants in Russia who are making an attempt to bypass the safety."
"Even if they sell harvesters for spare parts, they may earn some cash," the contact mentioned.
Different sources within the Melitopol region say theft by Russian navy units has extended to grain held in silos, in a region that produces a whole bunch of 1000's of tonnes of crops a 12 months.
One source told CNN that "the occupiers are providing local farmers to share their profits 50% to 50%." But the farmers trying 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 anywhere. "
So Russian forces are simply taking the grain, the source 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.
"Now we have clear proof that they unloaded grain from the Melitopol metropolis elevator. They robbed the elevator together with private farms," the mayor advised CNN.