Elon Musk has denied donating a Tesla Cybertruck to Ramzan Kadyrov, the head of the Chechen Republic and a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. This denial came after Kadyrov shared a video of himself driving the Cybertruck, with a machine gun mounted on the roof, on the messaging app Telegram. Kadyrov’s video sparked questions about how he obtained the Cybertruck, considering it is currently only manufactured at Tesla’s gigafactory in Texas and is currently sold solely within the United States.
Musk’s denial was swift and sharp. In a tweet, he dismissed the allegation as absurd, questioning the author’s intelligence. He has yet to provide a clear explanation as to how Kadyrov gained access to the vehicle.
Kadyrov’s video, which was shared on Saturday, showed him driving the Cybertruck and hinted at its potential use in the Russia-Ukraine war zone, which he referred to as the “SVO zone.” He also praised Musk as a “strongest genius” and a “great man” and invited him to Grozny, the capital city of Chechnya.
This incident raises concerns about the possible role of Tesla vehicles in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The Cybertruck is marketed by Tesla as a durable and rugged truck, capable of handling extreme conditions and even bulletproof attacks. The vehicle’s features, such as its shatter-resistant windows and rugged design, may make it appealing for military use.
While Musk has denied any direct involvement in providing the Cybertruck to Kadyrov, the incident highlights the potential for Tesla’s vehicles to be used in the conflict. It also adds another layer of complexity to the already strained relationship between the US and Russia. The lack of clarity surrounding the source of Kadyrov’s Cybertruck fuels speculation and raises questions about the company’s role in international affairs, particularly in a conflict zone.
