Russian troops in Melitopol plunder $5M farm vehicles from Ukraine — to find they’ve been remotely disabled
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However after a journey of more than 700 miles, the thieves had been unable to use any of the gear -- as a result of it had been locked remotely.
Over the previous few weeks there's been a rising variety of reports of Russian troops stealing farm tools, grain and even constructing materials - beyond widespread looting of residences. But the removing of valuable agricultural tools from a John Deere dealership in Melitopol speaks to an more and more organized operation, one which even makes use of Russian navy transport as part of the heist.CNN has learned that the equipment was faraway from an Agrotek dealership in Melitopol, which has been occupied by Russian forces since early March. Altogether it is valued at practically $5 million. The combine harvesters alone are value $300,000 each.
CNN is just not naming a contact in Melitopol familiar with the main points of the case for their very own safety.
The contact mentioned the process began with the seizure of two mix harvesters, a tractor and a seeder. Over the following few weeks, all the things else was eliminated: in all 27 pieces of farm equipment. One of the flat-bed vans used, and caught on camera, had a white "Z" painted on it and seemed to be a navy truck.
The contact said there have been rival teams of Russian troops: some would come within the morning and a few in the night.
A number of the machinery was taken to a nearby village, but some of it launched into a long overland journey to Chechnya more than 700 miles away. The sophistication of the equipment, 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 -- can be managed remotely. "When the invaders drove the stolen harvesters to Chechnya, they realized that they might not even flip them on, because the harvesters were locked remotely," the contact stated.
The equipment now seems to be languishing at a farm near Grozny. However the contact stated that "it seems that the hijackers have found consultants in Russia who are trying to bypass the safety."
"Even when they sell harvesters for spare components, they will earn some cash," the contact said.
Other sources in the Melitopol area say theft by Russian military models has prolonged to grain held in silos, in a area that produces tons of of thousands of tonnes of crops a 12 months.
One supply advised CNN that "the occupiers are offering native 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. None of the ports are working. You will not take this grain from the occupied territory anyplace. "
So Russian forces are merely 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 displaying a convoy of vehicles leaving Melitopol allegedly loaded with grain.
"We've clear proof that they unloaded grain from the Melitopol city elevator. They robbed the elevator together with personal farms," the mayor instructed CNN.