Russian Warlord Thanks Elon Musk for Starlink’s Role in Ukraine Invasion

A Russian warlord has praised Elon Musk because his Starlink satellites have proved to be “absolutely fire” during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Ramzan Kadyrov, president of the autonomous Chechen Republic and colonel general within the Russian military, appeared to claim on social media that the Tesla and SpaceX CEO had sent him a Tesla Cybertruck for use on the frontline of Vladimir Putin‘s invasion of Ukraine.

Musk angrily rejected the claims and subsequently became embroiled in an online spat. Kadyrov then came to his defense and told him: “Special thanks for Starlink. The connection speed in the SVO zone [Russia’s so-called ‘Special Military Operation in Ukraine’] is absolutely fire! Special respect from the fighters!”

Kadyrov, who was sanctioned by the U.S. Department of State in 2020 for his involvement in “numerous gross violations of human rights” within Chechnya, made the comments via his Telegram channel on Monday.

The row began Saturday when he posted a video of himself driving the electric pickup with a machine gun mounted in the pick-up bed.

In his post, the Chechen warlord can be seen driving the car around an empty square in Grozny, Chechnya’s capital, and called Musk “the strongest genius of our time.”

“We received a Tesla Cybertruck from the respected Elon Musk,” Kadyrov wrote. “I was happy to test the new technology and personally saw that it is not by chance that it is called the ‘Cyberbeast.’ A real invulnerable and fast animal. A maneuverable car, develops excellent speed and overcomes obstacles. A very comfortable car.”

Kadyrov went on to say that the Cybertruck would be sent to the “SVO zone,” the abbreviation for Russia’s Special Military Operation in Ukraine, and added that the vehicle “will bring a lot of benefit to out soldiers.”

The Chechen leader also extended an invitation to Musk, and said that the billionaire would be received as “the most dear guest” in Grozny.

Newsweek has reached out to Musk via SpaceX for comment on Kadyrov’s posts.

Kadyrov’s post was shared widely on X, with professor and political commentator Seth Abramson commenting: “I’m confused. @WestPoint_USMA just had @ElonMusk as its convocation speaker, when Musk is providing vehicles ready for military use to sanctioned enemies of America? Why isn’t this the biggest story in America today?”

Elon Musk lashed out at the accusation on Monday, calling Abramson “retarded” for believing that he would send a Cybertruck to a Russian warlord.

Kadyrov shared the pair’s exchange via Telegram on Monday, and reiterated his support for Musk.

“Elon, don’t pay attention to backward and uninitiated people and corrupt media. Don’t get distracted by them, trust me,” Kadyrov wrote. “Better continue to create and reach new heights. Your developments are a great help to us. You’re great in any case!”

The warlord added: “P.S. By the way, special thanks for Starlink. The connection speed in the SVO zone is absolutely fire! Special respect from the fighters!”

Starlink is the 6,000-strong group of satellites, owned and operated by SpaceX subsidiary Starlink Services, which provides internet coverage across the globe.

The constellation has been widely utilized by Ukrainian forces during the ongoing Russian invasion, initially funded by SpaceX and since June 2023 through a contract between SpaceX and the U.S. Department of Defense.

However, Kadyrov’s statement echoes past reports that Starlink may have been employed by Russian forces during the invasion of Ukraine.

Musk has denied that any Starlink terminals had been sold to Russia and, in May, his company teamed up with the Pentagon to ensure that Kremlin forces were not able to gain unauthorized access to the broadband systems.

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