Ramzan Kadyrov says Cybertruck will likely be given to Russian forces combating within the battle in Ukraine.
The chief of Russia’s Chechen Republic has heaped reward on Tesla CEO Elon Musk and invited the billionaire to go to his area after posting a video of himself driving a gun-mounted Cybertruck.
In a video posted on his Telegram channel on Saturday, Ramzan Kadyrov may very well be seen taking a Cybertruck on a drive within the regional capital Grozny earlier than standing astride a machinegun mounted on the automobile’s roof.
“I specific my honest gratitude to Elon Musk. That is, in fact, the strongest genius of our time and a specialist. An incredible man,” Kadyrov mentioned in a publish accompanying the video.
Kadyrov invited Musk to Grozny, saying he could be obtained as “my most pricey visitor”.
“I don’t assume the Russian Overseas Ministry would thoughts such a visit,” he mentioned.
Kadyrov, a vocal ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, additionally mentioned he would donate the automobile to Russian forces waging battle towards Ukraine.
“It’s not for nothing that they name this a cyberbeast”, Kadyrov mentioned, describing the automobile as “undoubtedly the most effective automobiles on this planet.
“I’m certain that this beast will carry loads of advantages to our troops.”
Kadyrov, who has been sanctioned by america for alleged human rights abuses together with torture and extrajudicial killings, mentioned he had obtained the truck from Musk.
Al Jazeera couldn’t independently affirm Kadyrov’s rationalization for a way he obtained the automobile.
Tesla didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
Tesla first launched the Cybertruck as an idea automobile in 2019 earlier than placing it on sale final 12 months.
Whereas the automobile is at present solely on sale in North America, Musk instructed an buyers’ occasion earlier this 12 months that it may very well be licensed for different markets someday in 2025.