The Tesla Cybertruck was controversial long before deliveries began late last year, and now an example of the electric pickup has fallen into the hands of a Russian warlord to become the latest conflict vehicle of choice.
Outspoken Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov boasted online over the weekend about taking delivery of the Tesla Cybertruck, which has been fitted with a machine gun in its tray.
While CNN reports Mr Kadyrov claims the Cybertruck was sent to him by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, whom he called “the strongest genius of our time”, the executive took to his social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to deny the claim – using language we’d rather not repeat.
Mr Kadyrov said the Cybertruck – believed to be a top-spec tri-motor ‘Cyberbeast’ – will be put to use in Ukraine, as conflict continues two and a half years after Russia’s invasion of its neighbouring country.
“Based on such excellent characteristics, the Cybertruck will soon be sent to the special military operation zone,” Mr Kadyrov said, as reported by CNN.
“I am sure that this ‘beast’ will bring a lot of benefit to our fighters.”
It’s the first time we’ve seen a Tesla being used in a warzone, though it’s unlikely the electric vehicle (EV) specialists will have the same impact in conflict as Toyota’s heavy-duty HiLux and LandCruiser.
The two utes have long been used by forces such as the Taliban in war, due in part to their rugged dependability and the capacity to mount a machine gun.
Trusted Reviews, Smarter Choices, Better Prices
Where expert car reviews meet expert car buying – CarExpert gives you trusted advice, personalised service and real savings on your next new car.
I'm an Indian-born automotive enthusiast living in the US, with a huge passion for cars. I have a natural storytelling ability and love captivating writing that brings stories to life. I've been writing about cars for over 10 years. My passion is expertly navigating the dynamic world of cars, delivering engaging content for car aficionados.
You might also like


Anthony Crawford
1990 Lamborghini Countach review
5 Days Ago


Matt Campbell
2025 Porsche 911 Carrera T review
4 Days Ago


James Wong
2025 Mazda CX-5 G25 Touring AWD review
3 Days Ago


Max Davies
2025 GWM Haval H7 review
2 Days Ago


Josh Nevett
2025 Audi RS3 review
17 Hours Ago


William Stopford
Suzuki Fronx gets drive-away deal ahead of first Australian deliveries
14 Hours Ago