Russian troops in Melitopol plunder $5M farm automobiles from Ukraine — to find they have been remotely disabled
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However after a journey of greater than 700 miles, the thieves had been unable to make use of any of the tools -- because it had been locked remotely.
Over the previous few weeks there's been a growing number of stories of Russian troops stealing farm tools, grain and even building materials - beyond widespread looting of residences. But the removal of worthwhile 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 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 combine harvesters alone are worth $300,000 each.
CNN is just not naming a contact in Melitopol accustomed to the details of the case for their own security.
The contact mentioned the method began with the seizure of two mix harvesters, a tractor and a seeder. Over the following few weeks, all the pieces else was removed: in all 27 pieces of farm equipment. One of the flat-bed trucks used, and caught on camera, had a white "Z" painted on it and gave the impression to be a military truck.
The contact stated there have been rival teams of Russian troops: some would come in the morning and a few within the evening.
A few of the machinery was taken to a close-by village, however a few of it launched into an extended overland journey to Chechnya greater than 700 miles away. The sophistication of the machinery, which are geared up 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 mix harvesters -- may also be managed remotely. "When the invaders drove the stolen harvesters to Chechnya, they realized that they could not even flip them on, because the harvesters were locked remotely," the contact mentioned.
The equipment now seems to be languishing at a farm close to Grozny. However the contact mentioned that "evidently the hijackers have found consultants in Russia who're trying to bypass the protection."
"Even when they sell harvesters for spare parts, they will earn some money," the contact said.
Different sources within the Melitopol region say theft by Russian military models has extended to grain held in silos, in a area that produces a whole bunch of thousands of tonnes of crops a year.
One source told CNN that "the occupiers are providing local 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. 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."
Last week the mayor of Melitopol posted a video displaying a convoy of vehicles leaving Melitopol allegedly loaded with grain.
"We now have clear proof that they unloaded grain from the Melitopol metropolis elevator. They robbed the elevator together with private farms," the mayor informed CNN.