This footage shows how a Ukrainian Father Christmas has traded in his traditional sleigh for a 9K33 Osa surface-to-air missile system.
The unmistakable Santa, with his white beard and red robes, can be seen perched atop the Ukrainian war machine along with three heavily armed Ukrainian soldiers sporting assault rifles.
They can be seen waving at the camera – as if to say “now I have a machine gun. Ho-ho-ho!” – as the war machine drives along a snow-covered road.
The images were obtained from the Office of Strategic Communications (StratCom) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Monday, 28th November, along with a statement saying: “And let this winter bring us victory.”
Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 279th day of the war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 29th November, Russia had lost about 88,380 personnel, 2,911 tanks, 5,866 armoured combat vehicles, 1,901 artillery units, 395 multiple launch rocket systems, 209 air defence systems, 280 warplanes, 261 helicopters, 1,555 drones, 531 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,423 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 163 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
Intense fighting is taking place around the key town of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine, with hundreds of dead and injured reported daily on both sides.
Ukraine’s military has said that Russia has continued to shell civilian infrastructure in the liberated city of Kherson.
The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces has said that the military inventories of the United States and its allies are shrinking as the West reportedly struggles to meet increased demand for further arms.
The United States is studying a proposal from Boeing to supply Ukraine with small, cheap precision bombs that can be fitted to readily available rockets.
It is thought that this would allow Kyiv to strike far behind Russia’s lines.
Ukraine’s Armed Forces have said that they have damaged a logistically significant railway bridge north of the southern Ukrainian city of Melitopol, which is currently occupied by Russian forces.
Russia has reacted angrily to comments from the Pope that some minority groups of soldiers have behaved worse than others in the invasion of Ukraine. Pope Francis said that the “cruellest” troops were generally Chechens and Buryats.
Russia called the remarks a “perversion”, and said national groups were “one family”.
A protester wearing a T-shirt saying “Save Ukraine” on the front invaded the pitch during the World Cup football match between Portugal and Uruguay. The protester was also carrying a rainbow flag and their T-shirt said ‘Respect for Iranian woman’ on the back.
