In a disturbing display of propaganda, a video circulating on Russian social media depicts a Westernized Santa Claus being shot down by a Russian missile. The video opens with a jovial Santa in his sleigh, flying over a festive Russian Christmas market. However, instead of presents, his sleigh carries what appear to be NATO missiles, resembling Trident and Minuteman III ICBMs. He also holds a can of Coca-Cola, further solidifying his portrayal as a symbol of Western influence. As he flies, he calls out a greeting to the Russians below, offering them “presents” in a sarcastic tone. Moments later, a Russian air defense system launches a missile, striking Santa’s sleigh and causing a fiery explosion above the Kremlin.
The timing of the video’s release is particularly unsettling, coming just days after the tragic crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane on Christmas Day, which killed all 38 people on board. Initial reports and sources suggest the plane was accidentally shot down by a Russian anti-aircraft missile. The propaganda video, with its depiction of a targeted airborne strike, bears an eerie resemblance to this real-life tragedy, raising concerns about the insensitivity and recklessness of the message. The video concludes with a celebratory display of fireworks as if marking a triumph.
Following the explosion, the scene cuts to a more traditional Russian Santa Claus, known as Grandfather Frost, dressed in blue. He is seated next to the air defense operator who launched the missile. Grandfather Frost confirms the target’s destruction, adding that they don’t need anything foreign in their skies. This dialogue reinforces the xenophobic and nationalistic undertones of the video, portraying the West as a threat that needs to be eliminated. The operator in the video is played by Dmitry Melnikov, a popular Russian TV actor, who has refused to comment on the video’s origins, citing a non-disclosure agreement.
The video has been met with criticism for its insensitive timing and its disturbingly close parallel to the Azerbaijan Airlines crash. While Russian authorities initially attributed the plane crash to a bird strike, several sources, including US officials and Euronews, point to a Russian surface-to-air missile as the cause. This discrepancy between the official narrative and the emerging evidence further fuels the controversy surrounding the video. The use of Soviet music from a popular New Year’s film, “The Irony of Fate, or Enjoy Your Bath!”, in the background of the video adds another layer of cultural significance, possibly aiming to resonate with a specific audience familiar with the film’s context.
The propaganda video serves as a chilling example of the lengths to which the Russian propaganda machine will go to demonize the West and promote a nationalistic agenda. The portrayal of Santa Claus, a universally recognized symbol of joy and generosity, as a hostile target laden with weapons, is a stark illustration of the distorted narrative being propagated. The video’s release so soon after the suspected accidental downing of a civilian aircraft amplifies the message’s insensitivity and raises serious questions about the Kremlin’s disregard for international norms and human life.
The incident and the subsequent propaganda video highlight the escalating tension between Russia and the West. The video’s message, promoting the idea of eliminating foreign influence, resonates with the Kremlin’s ongoing efforts to consolidate power and control the narrative within Russia. The use of a popular actor and culturally significant music further strengthens the video’s reach and impact, potentially influencing public opinion and reinforcing a sense of nationalistic fervor. The controversy surrounding the Azerbaijan Airlines crash and the Kremlin’s silence on the matter only add to the unease and suspicion surrounding the video’s message. The incident underscores the importance of critically analyzing information disseminated through propaganda channels and understanding the underlying political motivations.
