Propaganda has always been a powerful tool during conflicts, shaping narratives and stoking sentiments.
Russia’s latest attempt comes in the form of a satirical video depicting a Santa Claus associated with NATO being shot down over Moscow.
The unusual clip has drawn criticism and highlighted the escalating information war between Russia and Ukraine.
The video, reportedly shared on pro-Russian social media channels, begins with a red-suited Santa flying a sleigh adorned with NATO insignias over the Russian capital, according to Digi24.
"Ho, ho, ho! Hello Russians, here are your gifts! Happy New Year!" Santa declares in Russian before a missile obliterates the sleigh mid-air.
Don't Need Anything Foreign
The scene then transitions to a control room, where a blue-clad Santa observes the destruction.
"Is that it?" he asks, to which a uniformed man replies: "Yes, the target is destroyed."
The blue Santa concludes, "Good, we don’t need anything foreign in our skies."
Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation was quick to condemn the video, calling it a reflection of Russia’s exaggerated paranoia over a perceived NATO threat.
The center shared the video widely, suggesting it symbolizes a deeper narrative within Russian propaganda efforts.
Ukrainian journalist Illia Ponomarenko noted that the timing of the video’s release coincides with an aviation incident in Kazakhstan.
An Azerbaijani Airlines plane crashed on Christmas Day, leading to speculation that Russian air defenses might have been involved.
The footage has not been verified by independent sources or linked to an official broadcast. However, its appearance on social media has drawn widespread attention and discussion.
Sky News reported that they could not confirm the video’s authenticity or original airing date.
Critics argue the video showcases Russia’s efforts to frame NATO as an imminent threat while injecting humor into its propaganda campaigns.
Although the clip seems intended as satire, it reflects the ongoing tensions between Russia and Western nations.
