Russian troops in Melitopol plunder $5M farm vehicles from Ukraine — to seek out they have been remotely disabled
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But after a journey of more than 700 miles, the thieves were unable to use any of the tools -- as a result of it had been locked remotely.
Over the past few weeks there's been a rising number of reports of Russian troops stealing farm gear, grain and even constructing materials - beyond widespread looting of residences. However the elimination of beneficial agricultural equipment from a John Deere dealership in Melitopol speaks to an increasingly organized operation, one that even uses Russian army transport as a part of the heist.CNN has learned that the tools was removed from an Agrotek dealership in Melitopol, which has been occupied by Russian forces since early March. Altogether it is valued at almost $5 million. The mix harvesters alone are worth $300,000 each.
CNN will not be naming a contact in Melitopol aware of the main points of the case for their own security.
The contact stated the method started with the seizure of two combine harvesters, a tractor and a seeder. Over the next few weeks, all the pieces else was removed: in all 27 items of farm machinery. One of the flat-bed vans 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 groups of Russian troops: some would come within the morning and some in the night.
A few of the equipment was taken to a nearby village, however a few of it embarked on a protracted overland journey to Chechnya more than 700 miles away. The sophistication of the machinery, that are geared up with GPS, meant that its journey may very well be tracked. It was last tracked to the village of Zakhan Yurt in Chechnya.
The tools ferried to Chechnya, which included mix harvesters -- can also be controlled remotely. "When the invaders drove the stolen harvesters to Chechnya, they realized that they may not even flip them on, because the harvesters have been locked remotely," the contact mentioned.
The tools now seems to be languishing at a farm near Grozny. But the contact mentioned that "it appears that evidently the hijackers have discovered consultants in Russia who're attempting to bypass the protection."
"Even when they sell harvesters for spare parts, they are going to earn some cash," the contact stated.
Other sources within the Melitopol area say theft by Russian army models has extended to grain held in silos, in a region that produces a whole bunch of 1000's of tonnes of crops a year.
One supply informed CNN that "the occupiers are providing local farmers to share their earnings 50% to 50%." But the farmers attempting 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'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's it."
Final week the mayor of Melitopol posted a video displaying a convoy of vehicles 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 private farms," the mayor instructed CNN.