Russian missile defense systems were depicted shooting down Santa as he flew through the sky on a sleigh in a new viral short.

Shootdown of Azeri passenger plane reflects Russian jumpiness. This image from video released by Kazakhstan Emergency Ministry Press Service on December 27, 2024, shows the crash landing of the Azerbaijan Airlines' Embraer 190 near the airport of Aktau, Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan Emergency Ministry Press Service via AP

Santa Claus is shot out of the sky by a Russian air defence missile in a Christmas video published on pro-Kremlin Telegram channels.

Russian Santa is shown shot down in his sleigh by Russian air defences, just days after the fatal Azerbaijan plane crash.

The clip emerged shortly after Russia was accused of being involved in the crash of an airplane in Kazakhstan, which killed 38 people.

The scene shows Grandfather Frost, Russia's version of Santa, congratulating a Russian soldier for shooting down Santa.

The video has drawn backlash as it coincides with allegations of Russia's involvement in the recent Azerbaijani plane crash.

Pro-Kremlin Telegram channels on Friday circulated a New Year’s video depicting Russian air defense systems shooting down Santa Claus’ reindeer sleigh. The video, first shared by the Pul N3 Telegram channel,