Ramzan Kadyrov, the strongman who has ruled Chechnya since 2007, has accused Elon Musk of remotely disabling his Tesla Cybertruck. Kadyrov, known for his controversial actions, took to Telegram to vent his frustration, calling Musk’s actions ‘unmanly’ and lamenting the need to tow the vehicle after it was shut down.
The Chechen leader had previously boasted about receiving the Cybertruck as a gift from Musk, even going so far as to show off a modified version of the vehicle equipped with a machine gun. He suggested the Cybertruck would play a role in the war in Ukraine.
However, Musk has categorically denied gifting the Cybertruck to Kadyrov, and the true origin of the vehicle remains shrouded in mystery. Direct export of a Cybertruck from the US to Chechnya is prohibited due to US sanctions, making the acquisition of the vehicle even more perplexing.
Despite Kadyrov’s claims of the Cybertruck’s combat effectiveness, experts have dismissed the idea. Mark Cancian, a senior advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, believes the vehicle would be ‘totally useless’ in combat due to its weight and charging needs.
Kadyrov’s accusations against Musk are significant as they involve a high-profile figure and a globally recognized brand. This incident raises concerns about the security and remote control capabilities of Tesla vehicles. It also highlights the potential misuse of such vehicles in conflict zones, which could have serious implications for international security and Tesla’s reputation.
