However after a adventure of greater than 700 miles, the thieves have been not able to make use of any of the apparatus — as it have been locked remotely.
CNN has discovered that the apparatus was once got rid of from an Agrotek dealership in Melitopol, which has been occupied by way of Russian forces since early March. Altogether it is valued at just about $5 million. The mix harvesters by myself are price $300,000 every.
CNN isn’t naming a touch in Melitopol conversant in the main points of the case for their very own protection.
The touch stated the method started with the seizure of 2 mix harvesters, a tractor and a seeder. Over the following couple of weeks, the whole lot else was once got rid of: in all 27 items of farm equipment. Some of the flat-bed vans used, and stuck on digital camera, had a white “Z” painted on it and gave the impression to be an army truck.
The touch stated there have been rival teams of Russian troops: some would come within the morning and a few within the night.
One of the crucial equipment was once taken to a close-by village, however a few of it launched into an extended overland adventure to Chechnya greater than 700 miles away. The sophistication of the equipment, which might be provided with GPS, intended that its trip might be tracked. It was once ultimate tracked to the village of Zakhan Yurt in Chechnya.
The apparatus ferried to Chechnya, which incorporated mix harvesters — can be managed remotely. “When the invaders drove the stolen harvesters to Chechnya, they learned that they may no longer even flip them on, for the reason that harvesters have been locked remotely,” the touch stated.
The apparatus now seems to be languishing at a farm close to Grozny. However the touch stated that “it sort of feels that the hijackers have discovered specialists in Russia who’re seeking to bypass the safety.”
“Despite the fact that they promote harvesters for spare portions, they’ll earn some cash,” the touch stated.
Different assets within the Melitopol area say robbery by way of Russian army gadgets has prolonged to grain held in silos, in a area that produces masses of 1000’s of tonnes of plants a yr.
One supply advised CNN that “the occupiers are providing native farmers to percentage their income 50% to 50%.” However the farmers seeking to paintings in spaces occupied by way of Russian troops are not able to transport their produce.
“No longer a unmarried elevator works. Not one of the ports are operating. You’re going to no longer take this grain from the occupied territory anyplace. “
So Russian forces are merely taking the grain, the supply stated. “They scouse borrow it, take it to Crimea and that is the reason it.”
Ultimate week the mayor of Melitopol posted a video appearing a convoy of vans leaving Melitopol allegedly loaded with grain.
“Now we have transparent proof that they unloaded grain from the Melitopol town elevator. They robbed the elevator in conjunction with non-public farms,” the mayor advised CNN.
