In an ongoing war of words, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has accused tech mogul Elon Musk of remotely disabling a Tesla Cybertruck, which Kadyrov claimed was a "gift" from the billionaire. Kadyrov, who has ruled Chechnya with an iron grip since 2007, posted on his Telegram account accusing Musk of sabotaging the machine-gun mounted electric vehicle that had been deployed on the Russian front lines in Ukraine.
The Disabling Incident
Kadyrov, 47, initially gained attention when he shared a video in August cruising around his presidential palace in a modified Tesla Cybertruck, complete with a machine-gun turret. He claimed that the vehicle had been sent by Musk as a "gift," sparking widespread controversy. However, Musk quickly denied the allegation on his social media platform X, stating, “Are you seriously so retarded that you think I donated a Cybertruck to a Russian general?” His comments further fueled tensions.
On Thursday, Kadyrov accused Musk of disabling the electric vehicle, stating that the truck had performed "admirably" on the battlefield before it was remotely deactivated. "Elon Musk behaved badly", Kadyrov wrote on Telegram. “He gives expensive gifts from the heart and then remotely disconnects them. That’s not manly”, he stated. Kadyrov revealed that the vehicle had to be towed off the battlefield after its sudden shutdown, casting doubt on the durability and reliability of the cutting-edge truck in combat situations.
Two More Cybertrucks Sent to the Front
Despite the setback, Kadyrov has doubled down on his praise for the Cybertruck. In an attempt to counter Musk’s alleged sabotage, he announced that two additional Tesla Cybertrucks, similarly mounted with machine guns, had been dispatched to the combat zone in Ukraine. On Telegram he posted video on showing capabilities of weaponised Cybertruck and a message attached, Kadyrov stated, “Two more Cybertrucks are sent to the war zone”.
He praised the electric vehicles for their "mobility, convenience, and maneuverability", which he claimed were in high demand on the battlefield. “Western equipment is doing an excellent job against their own Western Ukro-NATOvites”, he added, hinting that these vehicles are being used effectively against Ukrainian and NATO forces. He also emphasized that these newer Cybertrucks had not been affected by remote shutdowns, operating "smoothly and without fail".
Musk Denies Any Involvement
Elon Musk has continuously dismissed the claims, stating that no Cybertruck was ever gifted to Kadyrov. On X, he expressed disbelief that anyone would take Kadyrov’s claims seriously. Musk's position remains clear—Tesla is not involved in supplying vehicles for any military operations, let alone for a controversial figure like Kadyrov, who has a history of human rights violations.
Ramzan Kadyrov: The Fearsome "Attack Dog" of Putin
Ramzan Kadyrov, often referred to as “Putin’s attack dog,” has earned a notorious reputation for his loyalty to the Kremlin and his brutal tactics in quashing dissent within Chechnya. His regime has been repeatedly accused of severe human rights violations, including torture, extrajudicial killings, and targeting LGBTQI+ individuals, ethnic minorities, and political dissidents. The U.S. government has imposed financial sanctions on Kadyrov for his role in orchestrating these abuses, calling him one of Russia’s most dangerous and influential allies.
Kadyrov has remained a top supporter of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and even sent his teenage sons to fight alongside Russian troops in the conflict. In this latest episode, he has continued his vocal criticism of the Russian military's struggle to achieve decisive victories on the Ukrainian front, positioning himself as both a symbol of Chechen power and a thorn in the side of military leadership.
Cybertruck: The Unlikely Star of the Battlefield
The Tesla Cybertruck, first introduced in 2023, was designed for civilian use with its futuristic design, armored exterior, and electric powertrain. However, in the hands of Kadyrov’s forces, it has taken on a new role—as a combat-ready vehicle, equipped with weaponry and sent into war zones. While Tesla had no intention of seeing its innovative product in military use, the ongoing drama between Kadyrov and Musk has, ironically, thrust the Cybertruck into an unexpected spotlight.
Kadyrov’s latest statement on the matter, "You can't think of a better advertisement for the Cybertruck. We know how they should be used", underscores his determination to weaponize the electric vehicle for Russia's war effort. Whether true or exaggerated, the saga has captured global attention, blending high-tech innovation with geopolitical tensions in the world’s most dangerous conflict zones.
Read more:- Hezbollah Chief Hassan Nasrallah Breaks Silence: Declares Israeli Pager Attacks a 'Declaration of War'.
As Kadyrov continues to assert his influence in the Ukraine war, his conflict with Musk has added an unexpected twist to the battlefield narrative. Whether Musk did or did not remotely disable the Cybertruck, the situation has raised questions about the intersection of technology, warfare, and ethics. For now, two more Cybertrucks equipped with weaponry roll towards the front lines, with Kadyrov showing no signs of backing down in his quest to dominate the battlefield—and the headlines.
Stay tuned with "In Bulletin", for more futher detailed updates on this Incident & International News.
