By Will Stewart

A new Cold War has erupted after a top Kremlin official claimed that Santa Claus was ‘not genuine’ and an ‘imposter’.

Speaker of the Russian Parliament Boris Gryzlov insisted that the only authentic figure was Ded Moroz – translated as Grandfather Frost, who has traditionally brought presents to children across Moscow’s sprawling empire.

Worse, he dubbed Father Christmas as an ‘illegal immigrant’ whose unhealthy Western influence was not welcome in Russia.

The politician – a close ally of prime minister Vladimir Putin – made his icy blast during a visit to Velikiy Ustyug, traditional home of Grandfather Frost in the far north of the country.

Illegal immigrant: Santa Claus is an ‘imposter’, a top Kremlin official has claimed

‘No one will ever be able to take away our great Granfather Frost from Russia – not Santa Claus or any other imposters,’ he thundered.

Television reports said that Gryzlov urged Santa Claus to ‘get out of the profession, at least in Russia.

‘He is an illegal immigrant in our country.’

He was backed by nationalist firebrand politician Vladimir Zhirinovsky who said: ‘Which Santa? I don’t know any Santas.’

Behind his attacks on Father Christmas is an encroaching Western influence in Russia which sometimes sees a battle of the white beards on streets and shopping malls with Santa dressed in red competing with Ded Moroz, who can be dressed in blue or red or a heel length fur coat, handing out presents to children.

The real thing: Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin with a man dressed up as Ded Moroz, the Russian equivalent of Santa Claus

There are other key differences between the two men, who can both trace their origins into the mists of time.

Ded Moroz has his feet up on Christmas Eve, only bringing presents a week or so later as Russian celebrate New Year, as he did through most of the Communist era.

Nor does he travel with Rudolf – instead he rides in a troika, a sledge invariably pulled by horses, though many children have also spotted him emerging from a cramped Lada car clutching his bag of presents.

He is usually accompanied by his attractive granddaughter – the Snow Maiden or Snegurochka – who assists him in bringing seasonal happiness.

He comes through the front door, rather than down the chimney.

Walking with a long magical staff, he doesn’t say ‘Ho, ho, ho" but ‘zdravstvuite rebyatishki!’ or ‘hello kids’.

While he is now being hailed as a Russian patriot by politicians, and with the Kremlin pouring money into Velikiy Ustyug to ensure Ded Moroz has a home to fit his status, he was persecuted for a time under Stalin.

In 1928 he was branded a ‘priest’s ally’ and a ‘kulak’ – a rich peasant. At the same time, Christmas trees were banned in the early years of the USSR.  

Stalin, however, relented and in 1937 Ded Moroz was rehabilitated, returning in triumph to the Moscow Palace of Unions.