A television advertisement for a chain of electrical stores denying the existence of Father Frost, Russia's version of Santa Claus, has been banned by the Russian government.

According to the BBC, the Federal anti-Monopoly Service found the advertisement for Eto electrical stores had broken rules for advertisers not to discredit parents and teachers when it declared that Father Frost was non-existent.

The agency said the ad undermined children's trust by implying parents were lying about the famous Christmas icon.

Andrei Kashevarov, the service's deputy director said the ad "induces negative relations between children and parents" which Eto refuted saying its ad was aimed at adults.