Russian troops in Melitopol plunder $5M farm autos from Ukraine — to find 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 equipment -- because it had been locked remotely.
Over the previous few weeks there's been a rising variety of studies of Russian troops stealing farm equipment, grain and even constructing materials - past widespread looting of residences. But the removing of beneficial agricultural gear from a John Deere dealership in Melitopol speaks to an more and more organized operation, one that even makes use of Russian military transport as a part of the heist.CNN has discovered that the tools 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 every.
CNN is not naming a contact in Melitopol conversant in the small print 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 following few weeks, everything else was eliminated: in all 27 pieces of farm equipment. One of many flat-bed vans used, and caught on digicam, had a white "Z" painted on it and appeared to be a army truck.
The contact mentioned there have been rival groups of Russian troops: some would come in the morning and some in the evening.
Among the machinery was taken to a nearby village, but a few of it embarked on a protracted overland journey to Chechnya greater than 700 miles away. The sophistication of the machinery, that are outfitted with GPS, meant that its travel could possibly be tracked. It was final tracked to the village of Zakhan Yurt in Chechnya.
The equipment ferried to Chechnya, which included combine harvesters -- will also be controlled remotely. "When the invaders drove the stolen harvesters to Chechnya, they realized that they may not even flip them on, as a result of the harvesters were locked remotely," the contact mentioned.
The tools now appears to be languishing at a farm close to Grozny. However the contact mentioned that "plainly the hijackers have discovered consultants in Russia who are attempting to bypass the safety."
"Even when they sell harvesters for spare parts, they may earn some cash," the contact stated.
Different sources within the Melitopol region say theft by Russian army items has prolonged to grain held in silos, in a region that produces lots of of 1000's 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 trying 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 wherever. "
So Russian forces are merely taking the grain, the source said. "They steal it, take it to Crimea and that's it."
Final week the mayor of Melitopol posted a video showing a convoy of vans leaving Melitopol allegedly loaded with grain.
"We have now clear evidence that they unloaded grain from the Melitopol metropolis elevator. They robbed the elevator together with personal farms," the mayor instructed CNN.