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Dramatic, controversial Warlord Kadyrov Accuses Musk of Cybertruck Sabotage
Machine Guns and Musk: A Warlord’s Claim Grabs Global Attention
Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, a controversial figure known for his loyalty to Vladimir Putin and a love for dramatic displays, made headlines again.
This time, Kadyrov accused none other than Tesla CEO Elon Musk of remotely disabling one of his 3 prized Tesla Cybertrucks, which had been retrofitted with a machine gun and deployed to the frontlines of Russia’s war with Ukraine.
In a social media post on Thursday, Kadyrov expressed frustration that the high-tech vehicle had been shut down, just as it was reportedly “performing well in combat.” The warlord, who has long been accused of human rights violations by multiple international bodies, doubled down on his claim Friday, sending two additional Cybertrucks to the battlefield. “What Elon Musk did was not nice,” Kadyrov lamented, accusing Musk of playing both sides in the conflict.
Cruising with a Machine Gun: Kadyrov Knows How to Command Attention
Kadyrov’s penchant for publicity is well-documented, and in August, he upped the ante by posting footage of himself driving the Cybertruck through Grozny, the Chechen capital while brandishing a machine gun. The clip, featuring a grinning Kadyrov, was intended to show off the new addition to Russia’s war effort, and Musk claimed he had gifted the vehicle to him. This dramatic scene, complete with military props, was a good way to turn heads, ensuring that the warlord’s claims wouldn’t be easily ignored.
Musk, however, vehemently denied any involvement. In typical blunt fashion, the Tesla CEO hit back on his social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, writing, “Are you seriously so retarded that you think I donated a Cybertruck to a Russian general?”
Two More Cybertrucks in the Fight, Kadyrov Insists
Despite the denial, Kadyrov persisted with his narrative. On Friday, he posted a video showing two additional Tesla Cybertrucks in what he described as the “SVO zone” (Russia’s military term for its operation in Ukraine), each mounted with machine guns and surrounded by military personnel. Kadyrov claimed these trucks were unaffected by Musk’s alleged remote shutdown, saying, “They are operating normally, without any failures.”
For Kadyrov, these latest additions to his war machine seemed to be more than just vehicles—they’ve become symbols of defiance, and perhaps, of his ongoing public spat with one of the world’s wealthiest men.
The Price of a Headline
While the accusations make for sensational headlines, Tesla’s involvement remains murky. CNN has reached out to Tesla for comment but has yet to receive a response. As for the Cybertruck, Musk first unveiled the fully electric vehicle in 2019, with prices starting at around $90,000. Whether the trucks are being used in combat zones or not, the warlord’s bizarre claims certainly make one thing clear: Kadyrov knows how to use both firepower and social media to get the world talking.
Kadyrov’s Controversial Past and Ongoing Criticism
Kadyrov’s knack for stirring the pot in the public eye isn’t new. His long-standing loyalty to President Putin and alleged human rights violations have led to sanctions by the U.S. State Department, the United Kingdom, and the European Union. In 2020, the U.S. accused him of being responsible for “gross violations of human rights,” including torture and extrajudicial killings. Despite these accusations, Kadyrov continues to rule with a heavy hand in Chechnya, while his latest social media stunt involving Musk has only deepened his controversial reputation.
First reported by: CNN
