Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has stirred attention with a bizarre ongoing story involving Tesla’s futuristic Cybertruck.
Dismissed by Musk
It all began when Kadyrov, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, shared videos featuring the electric pickup, causing surprise and controversy given the sanctions against Russia, according to Stern.
The fact that Kadyrov, who is based in Chechnya, part of the Russian Federation, was able to get his hands on a U.S.-made vehicle raised many eyebrows in the West.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk was quick to refute any claims of providing a Cybertruck to Kadyrov, responding harshly on social media:
“Do you really think I sent a Cybertruck to a Russian general? That’s insane.” Musk dismissed the speculation as more misinformation spread by mainstream media.
Armed Cybertrucks
Recently, Kadyrov accused Musk of remotely disabling his Cybertruck, adding a new twist to the saga. However, Kadyrov later released another video, this time showing not one, but two Cybertrucks.
Both were armed with machine guns mounted on the bed of the trucks. In the video, Chechen forces were seen using the vehicles to target drones, emphasizing the Cybertruck’s supposed mobility and maneuverability.
Despite these displays, many experts doubt the trucks' actual use in combat. The open truck beds provide little cover, and the machine guns seem unstable during use.
Additionally, electric vehicles may struggle on the battlefield due to a lack of charging infrastructure, making diesel-powered military vehicles more practical. Moreover, the possibility of Tesla disabling the vehicles at any time adds an element of unpredictability that would likely make them unfit for front-line use.
