Russian troops in Melitopol plunder $5M farm autos from Ukraine — to search out they have been remotely disabled
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But after a journey of more than 700 miles, the thieves have been unable to make use of any of the gear -- because it had been locked remotely.
Over the past few weeks there's been a rising number of experiences of Russian troops stealing farm equipment, grain and even constructing supplies - beyond widespread looting of residences. However the removing of helpful agricultural equipment from a John Deere dealership in Melitopol speaks to an more and more organized operation, one that even uses 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 each.
CNN is not naming a contact in Melitopol accustomed to the details of the case for their own safety.
The contact mentioned the process began with the seizure of two combine harvesters, a tractor and a seeder. Over the following few weeks, all the things else was removed: in all 27 pieces of farm equipment. One of the flat-bed vans used, and caught on digital camera, had a white "Z" painted on it and appeared to be a army truck.
The contact stated there have been rival groups of Russian troops: some would come within the morning and some in the night.
Among the machinery was taken to a nearby village, but a few of it launched into a long overland journey to Chechnya more than 700 miles away. The sophistication of the machinery, that 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 tools ferried to Chechnya, which included mix harvesters -- can 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 said.
The tools now appears to be languishing at a farm close to Grozny. But the contact said that "it seems that the hijackers have found consultants in Russia who are attempting to bypass the safety."
"Even if they sell harvesters for spare components, they will earn some money," the contact said.
Other sources in the Melitopol area say theft by Russian military models has prolonged to grain held in silos, in a region that produces a whole bunch of hundreds of tonnes of crops a 12 months.
One source informed CNN that "the occupiers are providing local farmers to share their earnings 50% to 50%." However the farmers attempting 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 anywhere. "
So Russian forces are merely taking the grain, the source mentioned. "They steal it, take it to Crimea and that's it."
Last week the mayor of Melitopol posted a video displaying a convoy of trucks leaving Melitopol allegedly loaded with grain.
"We now have clear proof that they unloaded grain from the Melitopol city elevator. They robbed the elevator along with non-public farms," the mayor instructed CNN.