Elon Musk has found himself at the centre of another geopolitical storm after Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov claimed to have been gifted a Tesla Cybertruck by the billionaire entrepreneur.
In a video posted to Telegram on Saturday, Kadyrov was seen driving a Cybertruck equipped with a machine gun through the streets of the Chechen capital, Grozny. The strongman leader claimed the electric vehicle was a gift from Musk, describing it as a “Cyberbeast” with “excellent characteristics”. He even went so far as to invite Musk to visit Chechnya as an “honoured guest”.
However, Musk was quick to dismiss the claims, labelling them “amazing” and questioning Kadyrov’s intelligence in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. The tech billionaire’s denial came after a user questioned him about the alleged gift.
Kadyrov, a notorious figure known for his lavish lifestyle and close ties to the Kremlin, has been sanctioned by the UK, US, and EU for alleged war crimes and human rights abuses. His regime has been accused of widespread corruption and repression.
The Chechen leader’s claim to have received a Cybertruck has raised eyebrows due to the potential legal implications for Musk. Supplying a vehicle to an individual under US sanctions is a criminal offence.
The incident comes amid a backdrop of Musk’s complex relationship with Russia and Ukraine. The billionaire has provided Starlink satellite internet terminals to Ukrainian forces since the start of the war but has also faced criticism for his stance on the conflict.
Musk has previously been accused of undermining Ukraine’s position in negotiations with Russia, and his decision to temporarily restrict access to Starlink in the Black Sea region has been blamed for the failure of a Ukrainian drone attack on Russian warships.
The latest controversy surrounding the Cybertruck is likely to further damage Musk’s reputation and raise questions about his judgment. As the world watches the unfolding drama, it remains to be seen how this latest chapter in the Musk saga will play out.
Cybertruck embroiled in geopolitical storm
The Cybertruck, Tesla’s futuristic electric pickup truck, has already faced its share of challenges since entering production last year. Issues such as faulty accelerators led to a recall of thousands of vehicles earlier this year, casting a shadow over the model’s launch.
Now, the vehicle finds itself at the centre of a geopolitical dispute, with its association with a sanctioned leader potentially damaging Tesla’s brand reputation. The incident highlights the growing influence of electric vehicles in global affairs and the complex issues that surround their production and distribution.
As the story develops, the automotive industry will be watching closely to see how Tesla and Musk respond to the allegations.
