However after a journey of greater than 1100km, the thieves have 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 removing of useful agricultural gear from a John Deere dealership in Melitopol speaks to an more and more organised operation, one which even makes use of Russian army transport as a part of the heist.
CNN has realized that the gear was faraway from an Agrotek dealership in Melitopol, which has been occupied by Russian forces since early March.
Altogether it is valued at practically US$5 million ($7.1 million). The mix harvesters alone are value US$300,000 ($425,000) every.
CNN just isn't naming a contact in Melitopol aware of the main points of the case for their very own security.
The contact mentioned the method started with the seizure of two mix harvesters, a tractor and a seeder.
Over the following few weeks, all the things else was eliminated: in all 27 items of farm equipment. One of many flat-bed vans used, and caught on digital camera, had a white "Z" painted on it and gave the impression to be a army truck.
The contact mentioned 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 a protracted overland journey to Chechnya greater than 1100km away.
The sophistication of the equipment, that are outfitted 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, can be managed remotely.
"When the invaders drove the stolen harvesters to Chechnya, they realised that they may not even flip them on, as a result of the harvesters have been locked remotely," the contact mentioned.
The gear now seems to be languishing at a farm close to Grozny. However the contact mentioned "plainly the hijackers have discovered consultants in Russia who're attempting to bypass the safety."
"Even when they promote harvesters for spare components, they may earn some cash," the contact mentioned.
Different sources within the Melitopol area say theft by Russian army models has prolonged to grain held in silos, in a area that produces a whole bunch of 1000's of tonnes of crops a 12 months.
One supply informed CNN that "the occupiers are providing native farmers to share their income 50 per cent to 50 per cent."
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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," they mentioned.
"You'll not take this grain from the occupied territory wherever."
So Russian forces are merely taking the grain, the supply mentioned.
"They steal it, take it to Crimea and that is it," they mentioned.
Final week the mayor of Melitopol posted a video displaying a convoy of vans leaving town 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 informed CNN.