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 greater than 700 miles, the thieves had been unable to make use of any of the gear -- as a result of it had been locked remotely.
Over the previous few weeks there's been a rising number of experiences of Russian troops stealing farm equipment, grain and even constructing materials - past widespread looting of residences. However the removing of worthwhile agricultural equipment from a John Deere dealership in Melitopol speaks to an more and more organized operation, one which even makes use of Russian army transport as a part of the heist.CNN has realized 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 price $300,000 every.
CNN is not naming a contact in Melitopol aware of the small print of the case for their very own safety.
The contact mentioned the method started with the seizure of two combine harvesters, a tractor and a seeder. Over the next few weeks, every part else was removed: in all 27 items of farm machinery. One of many flat-bed trucks used, and caught on digital camera, had a white "Z" painted on it and gave the impression to be a army truck.
The contact stated there have been rival groups of Russian troops: some would come in the morning and some within the evening.
Among the equipment was taken to a nearby village, but some of it embarked on an extended overland journey to Chechnya more than 700 miles away. The sophistication of the machinery, which are outfitted with GPS, meant that its travel may very well be tracked. It was last tracked to the village of Zakhan Yurt in Chechnya.
The equipment ferried to Chechnya, which included mix harvesters -- can be managed remotely. "When the invaders drove the stolen harvesters to Chechnya, they realized that they could not even turn them on, because the harvesters were locked remotely," the contact said.
The gear now appears to be languishing at a farm close to Grozny. However the contact stated that "plainly the hijackers have found consultants in Russia who are attempting to bypass the safety."
"Even when they promote harvesters for spare components, they'll earn some cash," the contact stated.
Different sources within the Melitopol area say theft by Russian military items has extended to grain held in silos, in a region that produces lots of of 1000's of tonnes of crops a 12 months.
One supply instructed CNN that "the occupiers are providing local farmers to share their profits 50% to 50%." But 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 will not take this grain from the occupied territory anywhere. "
So Russian forces are simply taking the grain, the source stated. "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 evidence that they unloaded grain from the Melitopol metropolis elevator. They robbed the elevator together with private farms," the mayor informed CNN.