Russia’s Latest Propaganda: Santa Claus Shot Down Over Moscow – Guy D. McCardle
Just when you’ve thought you’ve seen everything, we have proof positive that the Russians have killed Santa Claus.
In a recent and controversial move, Russian propaganda channels have released a video depicting a Western-style Santa Claus being shot down by Russian air defenses over Moscow. This video, shared widely on Russian social media platforms, has sparked international outrage and raised questions about the Kremlin’s messaging strategies.
The Propaganda Video
The video begins with a traditional Western Santa Claus, complete with a red suit and white beard, flying his sleigh over a festive Moscow scene. Notably, the sleigh is laden with what appear to be NATO-branded missiles instead of presents, and Santa holds a can of Coca-Cola, symbolizing Western commercialism. As Santa cheerfully exclaims in English, “Hey Russians, here are your presents; Happy New Year,” Russian air defenses launch a missile, resulting in a fiery explosion that obliterates Santa’s sleigh mid-air. The scene concludes with fireworks and celebrations, followed by a depiction of “Grandfather Frost” (the Russian equivalent of Santa Claus and also known as Ded Moroz) sitting beside a Russian air defense operator, proudly stating, “We don’t need anything foreign in our skies.”
Personally, I think “Ded Moroz” sounds more like the name of the lead guitarist in a metal band than a jolly man who hands out presents to children, but who am I to judge?
Timing Amidst Tragedy
In a case of horrifically bad timing, the video’s release is particularly controversial, coming just days after the tragic Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash on December 25, 2024, which resulted in 38 fatalities. Numerous reports suggest that the aircraft may have been downed by a Russian anti-aircraft missile, though official investigations are ongoing. The eerie similarity between the video’s content and the real-life tragedy has led to widespread criticism, with many accusing the Kremlin of insensitivity and poor taste.
Symbolism and Messaging
You don’t have to be a defense analyst to peg this as a clear anti-Western statement. The portrayal of Santa Claus—a figure synonymous with Western Christmas traditions—carrying NATO-like missiles suggests an attempt to depict Western influences as hostile threats. If you look closely at the rear seat of Santa’s sleigh, you can see a field of stars in what looks to be a depiction of the US flag.
The subsequent destruction of Santa by Russian defenses, followed by the endorsement from Grandfather Frost, reinforces a narrative of rejecting Western culture in favor of traditional Russian values. What makes it more disturbing is that it is presented in a lighthearted manner, with Santa and his sleigh bursting into fireworks after blowing up.
Just when you’ve thought you’ve seen everything, we have proof positive that the Russians have killed Santa Claus.
In a recent and controversial move, Russian propaganda channels have released a video depicting a Western-style Santa Claus being shot down by Russian air defenses over Moscow. This video, shared widely on Russian social media platforms, has sparked international outrage and raised questions about the Kremlin’s messaging strategies.
The Propaganda Video
The video begins with a traditional Western Santa Claus, complete with a red suit and white beard, flying his sleigh over a festive Moscow scene. Notably, the sleigh is laden with what appear to be NATO-branded missiles instead of presents, and Santa holds a can of Coca-Cola, symbolizing Western commercialism. As Santa cheerfully exclaims in English, “Hey Russians, here are your presents; Happy New Year,” Russian air defenses launch a missile, resulting in a fiery explosion that obliterates Santa’s sleigh mid-air. The scene concludes with fireworks and celebrations, followed by a depiction of “Grandfather Frost” (the Russian equivalent of Santa Claus and also known as Ded Moroz) sitting beside a Russian air defense operator, proudly stating, “We don’t need anything foreign in our skies.”
Personally, I think “Ded Moroz” sounds more like the name of the lead guitarist in a metal band than a jolly man who hands out presents to children, but who am I to judge?
Timing Amidst Tragedy
In a case of horrifically bad timing, the video’s release is particularly controversial, coming just days after the tragic Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash on December 25, 2024, which resulted in 38 fatalities. Numerous reports suggest that the aircraft may have been downed by a Russian anti-aircraft missile, though official investigations are ongoing. The eerie similarity between the video’s content and the real-life tragedy has led to widespread criticism, with many accusing the Kremlin of insensitivity and poor taste.
Symbolism and Messaging
You don’t have to be a defense analyst to peg this as a clear anti-Western statement. The portrayal of Santa Claus—a figure synonymous with Western Christmas traditions—carrying NATO-like missiles suggests an attempt to depict Western influences as hostile threats. If you look closely at the rear seat of Santa’s sleigh, you can see a field of stars in what looks to be a depiction of the US flag.
The subsequent destruction of Santa by Russian defenses, followed by the endorsement from Grandfather Frost, reinforces a narrative of rejecting Western culture in favor of traditional Russian values. What makes it more disturbing is that it is presented in a lighthearted manner, with Santa and his sleigh bursting into fireworks after blowing up.
The top-notch production values and special effects in this piece suggest that someone with big bucks was behind it. This certainly wasn’t created on someone’s personal computer. The actor playing the air defense operator is Dmitry Melnikov, who is known for his roles in TV series, films, and commercials.
Public and International Reaction
The video has triggered shock and disbelief on social media. Many people have shared the video, calling it the “cringe content of the day” due to its controversial message. Some aviation industry experts mocked the irony of the message, as Russia’s claim of not needing “anything foreign” in its skies contrasts sharply with its dependence on Western-made aircraft. The dramatic and exaggerated depiction has left many scratching their heads at the intent behind the production.
The production also caught the attention of Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation, which commented on Russia’s growing “paranoia” about NATO. With ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region, many have questioned whether this video was intended to distract from or trivialize real-world events.
The international media has taken a close look at the video’s content and its potential implications. Journalists have analyzed the video, with some, like Ilya Shepelin, speculating that it may have been produced by the Russian state-controlled media outlet RT (Russia Today). The video has been widely covered, with media outlets highlighting its grim tone and bizarre timing, further fueling conversations about Russia’s media strategies.
Beyond its political undertones, the video has reignited discussions about the cultural rivalry between Russia’s Grandfather Frost (Ded Moroz) and the Western Santa Claus. It’s seen as part of a broader effort by the Kremlin to reject Western cultural icons in favor of promoting Russian traditions. However, many viewers have labeled this attempt as clumsy and ineffective, with the video doing more harm than good to Russia’s cultural diplomacy efforts.
Overall, the video has been met with widespread criticism and is being viewed as a propaganda blunder. Instead of bolstering Russian nationalism or undermining Western influence, it seems to have backfired, drawing ridicule and further isolating Russia in the eyes of the international community. Whether intentional or not, the video has become a talking point for its controversial messaging and timing, adding to the growing scrutiny of Russia’s propaganda machine.
Many thanks to our friends at Rated Red for clueing us in on this second Russian holiday shootdown.
Historical Context of Russian Propaganda
This incident is not isolated but fits into a broader pattern of Russian propaganda efforts that utilize cultural symbols to convey political messages. Historically, figures like Grandfather Frost have been employed in state narratives to promote Russian cultural identity, especially in contrast to Western influences. The current geopolitical climate, marked by tensions between Russia and Western nations, has seen an uptick in such propagandistic content aimed at bolstering nationalistic sentiments.
Take Away Message
The release of this propaganda video underscores the lengths to which state-controlled media in Russia will go to propagate anti-Western sentiments. By targeting a universally recognized and beloved figure like Santa Claus, the Kremlin not only seeks to vilify Western culture but also to solidify internal support by appealing to traditional Russian values. However, the timing and content of the video have backfired to some extent, drawing criticism and highlighting the often-blurred lines between state messaging and insensitivity.
As the international community continues to monitor Russia’s media output, incidents like these remind us of the power of propaganda and the importance of critical engagement with the content disseminated by state-controlled channels.
