Official statements from the Russian government or Ministry of Defense

Russian Propaganda Video Shows Air Defense Destroying Santa Claus With NATO Missiles Over Moscow Amid Plane Crash Allegations

Dec 27, 2024, 12:38 PM

Russian pro-war Telegram channels have circulated a propaganda video depicting the country's air defense systems shooting down Santa Claus as he flies over Moscow. In the video, Santa, portrayed as a 'Western' figure sipping Coca-Cola and carrying missiles with the NATO logo instead of gifts, is destroyed by a missile, which turns his sleigh into a fireworks display. The scene then shifts to a control room where Ded Moroz, the Russian equivalent of Santa Claus, and a military operator monitor the action. Ded Moroz declares, 'Target destroyed. We don’t need anything foreign in our world. Happy New Year!' The release of this video follows allegations that Russian air defense forces were responsible for the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane in western Kazakhstan, which killed 38 people.