Chechnya's controversial leader, Ramzan Kadyrov, has stirred up controversy once again as he showcased a customized Tesla Cybertruck, dubbed the "Cyberbeast," fitted with a formidable gun turret. In a post on the messaging platform Telegram, Kadyrov expressed his gratitude to Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, for gifting him the futuristic vehicle.

The video shared by Kadyrov showed him proudly maneuvering the Cyberbeast around the sprawling grounds of his presidential palace. Dressed in a black hood and draped in an ammo belt, the Chechen warlord stood behind the imposing gun turret bolted to the roof of the electric truck, grinning as he surveyed his surroundings.

In his message, Kadyrov emphasized his belief that the Cyberbeast's imperviousness and speed made it a formidable asset, hence the moniker. He also mentioned plans to deploy the vehicle to the battlefield in Ukraine, stating, "I am sure that this 'beast' will be of great use to our soldiers." The comments are likely to heighten tensions in the region amid an ongoing conflict between Ukrainian forces and separatist groups.

Expressing his gratitude, Kadyrov extended an invitation to Elon Musk to visit Russia, particularly his city of Grozny. "Elon, thank you! Come to Grozny, I will receive you as my most dear guest!" Kadyrov exclaimed in his post.

The revelation of the modified Cybertruck has raised eyebrows worldwide, with many questioning the ethics of weaponizing a sleek electric vehicle designed for civilian use. POLITICO reached out to Tesla for a statement on the matter, but no response has been received thus far.

Kadyrov's antics and close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin have long drawn international scrutiny. The Chechen leader has been accused of human rights abuses and suppressing political dissent within the region. This latest display of power and his intention to deploy the Cyberbeast could add further fuel to the controversy surrounding his leadership.