Somehow, I’ve always pictured a Chechen warlord as something like this:

Or this:

Or even this:

But I certainly never expected to see him riding in on anything like this:

So imagine my surprise when I learned that Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov had taken delivery of a brand-spanking-new Tesla Cybertruck. And then, of course, gussied it up by mounting — in plain sight on the rear hatch — a real live machine gun. Because in Chechnya, you can do that. Then he published a video of himself driving the vehicle, which he says he plans to send to Russian forces on the battlefields in Ukraine. The truck, not the video. [Christian Edwards, CNN, August 19, 2024.]

Great idea! One well-aimed drone, and there goes your Marvelous Machine — not to mention the driver and the gunner. Oh, well . . . easy come, easy go.

Kadyrov says the Tesla was sent to him by “the strongest genius of our time”: none other than Elon Musk himself. [Id.]

Okay, truth: I’m not sure whether I’m laughing at the idea of Musk actually supplying Kadyrov with a Cybertruck (or anything else) . . . or at Kadyrov’s description of Musk as “the strongest genius of our time.” Either way, my abs got some good exercise today.

Musk, of course, denies giving the vehicle to Kadyrov:

“Are you seriously so retarded that you think I donated a Cybertruck to a Russian general?” he wrote on X. [Id.]

Well, I certainly hope not!

In his video, Kadyrov is shown driving the Tesla through an empty square in the capital city of Grozny, then exiting the truck and standing behind the machine gun with an ammunition belt draped around his neck.

He speaks:

“We received a Tesla Cybertruck from the respected Elon Musk. I was happy to test the new equipment and personally saw that there’s a reason that it is called the ‘Cyberbeast’ . . . [calling it “invulnerable,” “fast,” “comfortable,” and “maneuverable.”] Based on such excellent characteristics, the Cybertruck will soon be sent to the special military operation zone. I am sure that this ‘beast’ will bring a lot of benefit to our fighters.” [Id.]

Oh, I’m sure he’s right . . . for about five minutes. But again, about that Ukrainian drone . . .

Judging from that silly grin, I don’t think he believes me. I don’t really care what he believes; but I do wonder what Elon Musk thinks about sending one of his creations into battle.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
8/21/24