A Chechen warlord is furious with Elon Musk, accusing the Tesla CEO of shutting down his Cybertruck after it was reportedly outfitted with military gear. Ramzan Kadyrov, a known ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, claims Musk remotely disabled the vehicle after seeing it modified for combat. The incident has stirred up tension between the two, with Kadyrov publicly lashing out at Musk.
Kadyrov, who has ruled Chechnya since 2007, first flaunted the Cybertruck in a video, showing the electric pickup equipped with what looked like a machine gun. He suggested that he could send the Cybertruck to aid Russian forces in Ukraine. However, the warlord’s plans came to a halt after Tesla allegedly bricked the vehicle remotely, rendering it useless.
“Elon Musk behaved badly. He gives expensive gifts from the heart, and then turns them off remotely,” Kadyrov wrote on Telegram. “That’s not manly,” he continued, expressing his frustration after needing to tow the vehicle away due to its sudden shutdown.
Musk denied ever gifting the vehicle to Kadyrov, despite the Chechen leader’s claims. In August, Kadyrov shared footage of the modified truck, implying it had been provided by Musk. The video led to widespread speculation and raised questions about how the truck, a symbol of cutting-edge electric vehicle technology, ended up in a war zone.
Kadyrov, known for his controversial social media presence and stunts, boasted that the Cybertruck performed well in combat-like situations. He had previously hinted that the truck, known for its steel plating and futuristic design, would be sent to support Russian troops fighting in Ukraine. However, experts remain highly skeptical about the vehicle’s practical use in such a setting.
The Cybertruck weighs over 6,800 pounds and has a range of approximately 320 miles per charge, raising concerns about its battlefield effectiveness. Mark Cancian, a senior advisor with the International Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, doubted the truck’s combat viability. “Where do you recharge this thing on the battlefield? There are no Tesla outlets on the front lines in the Donbas,” he said, pointing out the logistical challenges of using an electric vehicle in active combat zones.
Even though Kadyrov claims the Cybertruck proved durable, experts remain unconvinced. The vehicle’s hefty size and reliance on electric charging make it impractical in the rough terrains of war. Its need for frequent recharges, along with a lack of infrastructure for electric vehicles in Ukraine, further limits its use as a combat vehicle.
Adding to the mystery is how the Cybertruck even made its way into Kadyrov’s hands. Due to U.S. sanctions, exporting a Tesla directly from the U.S. to Chechnya would be illegal. Experts believe the truck was likely resold through a third-party country, bypassing restrictions.
Tesla has yet to comment on the situation, but the story has captured international attention. Kadyrov’s claim that Musk remotely deactivated the truck highlights the ongoing influence of tech giants in geopolitical matters. This isn’t the first time Musk has faced accusations of meddling in global affairs, and it likely won’t be the last.
Kadyrov’s antics and his claims of receiving a personalized Cybertruck from Musk have drawn widespread curiosity and criticism. Despite Musk’s firm denial of any connection to the truck, the bizarre incident continues to unfold, raising questions about the power of technology in modern warfare and the role of high-profile tech figures in global conflicts.
With the fate of the Cybertruck in question and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, it remains to be seen how this situation will develop. One thing is for certain: Kadyrov’s public spat with Musk has put the spotlight on the intersection of warfare, technology, and global politics.
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