Russian troops in Melitopol plunder $5M farm autos 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 were unable to use any of the equipment -- because it had been locked remotely.
Over the previous few weeks there's been a growing number of reports of Russian troops stealing farm gear, grain and even constructing supplies - beyond widespread looting of residences. But the elimination of invaluable agricultural equipment 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 faraway 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 price $300,000 each.
CNN isn't naming a contact in Melitopol accustomed to the details of the case for their own safety.
The contact said the process began with the seizure of two mix harvesters, a tractor and a seeder. Over the next few weeks, every little thing else was eliminated: in all 27 items of farm machinery. One of many 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 some within the evening.
A number of the machinery was taken to a nearby village, however some of it embarked on a protracted overland journey to Chechnya greater than 700 miles away. The sophistication of the machinery, that are equipped with GPS, meant that its travel could possibly be tracked. It was last tracked to the village of Zakhan Yurt in Chechnya.
The gear 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 turn them on, because the harvesters have been locked remotely," the contact stated.
The gear now seems to be languishing at a farm near Grozny. However the contact said that "it seems that the hijackers have discovered consultants in Russia who're attempting to bypass the safety."
"Even when they sell harvesters for spare parts, they may earn some money," the contact stated.
Other sources within the Melitopol area say theft by Russian army models has prolonged to grain held in silos, in a area that produces a whole lot of thousands of tonnes of crops a 12 months.
One supply told CNN that "the occupiers are offering native farmers to share their earnings 50% to 50%." However the farmers making an attempt to work in areas occupied by Russian troops are unable to move their produce.
"Not a single elevator works. None 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 source stated. "They steal it, take it to Crimea and that is it."
Final week the mayor of Melitopol posted a video showing a convoy of vans leaving Melitopol allegedly loaded with grain.
"We've clear proof that they unloaded grain from the Melitopol city elevator. They robbed the elevator along with private farms," the mayor informed CNN.