Santa under siege: Kremlin's propaganda takes a festive turn

Much of the information conveyed by Russian media and government representatives is likely untrue. Such reports may be part of an information war by the Russian Federation.

The video begins with a scene in which the well-known Santa Claus pilots a sleigh filled with missiles marked with symbols of the North Atlantic Alliance. Representing Western values, Santa makes his way towards the Russian capital, prompting an immediate response.

At a crucial moment in the film, the Russian air defence steps in, intercepting and destroying the "threat," with assistance from the Orthodox equivalent of Santa Claus, known as Ded Moroz. After neutralising the Western "attack," he utters significant words: "Good, we don't need anything foreign in our skies."

The material is a flagrant example of propaganda directed at Russian society, aiming to portray the West as a danger and emphasise the necessity to defend against foreign influences.

The use of Christmas symbolism—Santa Claus, who does not have the same roots in Russian tradition as in the West—is a clever tactic intended to contrast the "foreign" and "native".

The video quickly became a topic of discussion on the internet, both in Russia and abroad. For some, it's an example of skilled media manipulation and emotionally charged messaging, while for others, it's an absurd depiction of holiday symbols in a military context.

There were also voices criticising the excessive antagonising of relations with the West, especially during the holidays, which are meant to unite.

The Russian propaganda material is one of many examples of how global symbols can be used for political purposes.