Russian troops in Melitopol plunder $5M farm vehicles from Ukraine — to search out they’ve been remotely disabled
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However after a journey of more than 700 miles, the thieves have been unable to make use of any of the equipment -- as a result of it had been locked remotely.
Over the past few weeks there's been a rising variety of experiences of Russian troops stealing farm tools, grain and even constructing materials - past widespread looting of residences. But the removal of helpful agricultural gear from a John Deere dealership in Melitopol speaks to an increasingly organized operation, one which even uses Russian navy transport as a part of the heist.CNN has discovered that the gear was removed 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 worth $300,000 every.
CNN just isn't naming a contact in Melitopol conversant in the details of the case for their own security.
The contact mentioned the method started with the seizure of two mix harvesters, a tractor and a seeder. Over the subsequent 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 digital camera, had a white "Z" painted on it and appeared to be a army truck.
The contact said there have been rival teams of Russian troops: some would come within the morning and a few in the evening.
A number of the equipment was taken to a nearby village, however some of it embarked on an extended overland journey to Chechnya greater 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 final tracked to the village of Zakhan Yurt in Chechnya.
The tools ferried to Chechnya, which included mix harvesters -- will also be controlled remotely. "When the invaders drove the stolen harvesters to Chechnya, they realized that they might not even turn them on, because the harvesters had been locked remotely," the contact stated.
The tools now seems to be languishing at a farm close to Grozny. However the contact stated that "it appears that evidently the hijackers have found consultants in Russia who're making an attempt to bypass the safety."
"Even when they promote harvesters for spare components, they'll earn some money," the contact said.
Different sources within the Melitopol region say theft by Russian navy models has prolonged to grain held in silos, in a region that produces a whole lot of hundreds of tonnes of crops a yr.
One supply told CNN that "the occupiers are offering 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 merely taking the grain, the source stated. "They steal it, take it to Crimea and that's it."
Final week the mayor of Melitopol posted a video showing a convoy of vehicles leaving Melitopol allegedly loaded with grain.
"We have now clear evidence that they unloaded grain from the Melitopol city elevator. They robbed the elevator along with private farms," the mayor instructed CNN.