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Sputnik's AI-Generated Christmas Ad Depicts Putin as Santa

Published December 28, 2025, 16:11
Sputnik's AI-Generated Christmas Ad Depicts Putin as Santa

The Russian news agency Sputnik has released a festive advertisement created using artificial intelligence, portraying Vladimir Putin as Santa Claus. In the ad, Putin distributes 'gifts' to leaders of countries considered friends or allies of Russia, such as Xi Jinping, Kim Jong Un, Narendra Modi, and Viktor Orbán. The gifts vary, from discounted natural gas to state-of-the-art fighter jets. In contrast, Volodymyr Zelenskyy receives a box of handcuffs, depicting him being moved from his office in Kyiv to prison. The ad is accompanied by a message stating that Russia takes care of its friends, while the 'naughty' will get what they deserve. The release of the ad comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions and sanctions against Russia. The European Union had banned the broadcasting and distribution of Sputnik in March 2022, as part of the sanctions imposed following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The ban was not officially characterized as censorship, but as a measure to counter state disinformation. The EU maintains that Russian media outlets, such as Sputnik, operate as tools of strategic influence for the Kremlin. The ad has been shared by Russian embassies on social media, confirming its political nature.