Hungarian Soldiers Rescue Santa Claus in Kosovo

Appreciating the gravity of the situation, the Hungarian peacekeepers immediately set off to rescue the very important person. Acting on the information received from the Krampus, after a shortened commander’s planning process, they launched a complex tactical operation which tested the participants’ training level and willpower.

The enemy put up serious resistance, and made the action more difficult by dragging Santa and his helpers in and out of buildings. Acting on the information received from the Krampuses, the Hungarians isolated and cleared three buildings during the action, and then mounted a final assault. They had to seize the highest ground of the camp in a frontal attack, where they neutralized the last terrorists and set Santa and his helpers free, thereby guaranteeing the security of the approaching Christmas as well.

The rescue of Santa is a task assigned to the 3rd rifle company of the HDF 25th “Klapka György" Infantry Brigade of Tata on December 6 every year. This year, however, it was executed by the Hungarian maneuver company “C" of the KFOR Tactical Reserve Maneuver Battalion (KTM) in Kosovo. The tactical scenario of the exercises held on Nicholas Day changes from year to year, but the objective is always the same: to rescue Santa Claus and his helpers, the Krampuses from the enemy’s hands, so as to make sure that Christmas won’t be cancelled in the given year.

With the approaching Christmas season, the soldiers – who are serving far away from their loved ones and families for six months – perhaps think even more often of their relatives at home, whose absence is felt even more strongly during Advent.

Exercises like the rescue of Santa Claus also help the Hungarian troops serving in Kosovo to have a true holiday atmosphere besides executing their tasks in KFOR.

Photos by the author