CNN
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Russian troops within the occupied metropolis of Melitopol have stolen all of the gear from a farm gear dealership – and shipped it to Chechnya, in line with a Ukrainian businessman within the space.
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 variety of stories of Russian troops stealing farm gear, grain and even constructing supplies – past widespread looting of residences. However the elimination of useful agricultural gear 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 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 mix harvesters alone are value $300,000 every.
CNN will not be naming a contact in Melitopol acquainted with the small print of the case for their very own security.
The contact stated the method started with the seizure of two mix harvesters, a tractor and a seeder. Over the subsequent few weeks, the whole lot else was eliminated: in all 27 items of farm equipment. One of many flat-bed vehicles used, and caught on digicam, had a white “Z” painted on it and gave the impression to be a army truck.
The contact stated there have been rival teams of Russian troops: some would come within the morning and a few within the night.
Among the equipment 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 equipment, that are geared up with GPS, meant that its journey might be tracked. It was final tracked to the village of Zakhan Yurt in Chechnya.
The gear 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 might not even flip them on, as a result of the harvesters had been locked remotely,” the contact stated.
The gear now seems to be languishing at a farm close to Grozny. However the contact stated that “evidently the hijackers have discovered consultants in Russia who’re 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 army items has prolonged to grain held in silos, in a area that produces lots of of 1000’s of tonnes of crops a yr.
One supply instructed CNN that “the occupiers are providing native farmers to share their earnings 50% to 50%.” However the farmers attempting 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 anyplace. “
So Russian forces are merely taking the grain, the supply stated. “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.
“Now we have clear proof that they unloaded grain from the Melitopol metropolis elevator. They robbed the elevator together with non-public farms,” the mayor instructed CNN.
