Who made the CDS's Christmas card list (and who didn't!)

Admiral Sir Tony Radakin has sent a bottle of Glenmorangie whisky and a note to Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, this Christmas.

In an interview with the Sunday Telegraph he said: "He is in the thick of it. 

“I have seen him three times in Kyiv this year, that's including going down to his bunker, they change locations frequently, and part of that, along with other chiefs, is giving him our warmth and support, it's a personal thing as well as the professional element of how we are supporting Ukraine's Armed Forces.

"That business of writing a handwritten note and giving him a bottle of his favourite whisky... when you are away those are really important.”

The CDS said General Zaluzhnyi replied to the gift with a "lovely message".

• Armed Forces are not 'spare capacity' for striking workers - says CDS
• MOD say Russia has changed long range strike tactics due to vulnerability of Crimea
• 'Russia is losing and the free world is winning', head of UK Armed Forces says

In contrast, General Valery Gerasimov, the Russian Chief of General Staff, was missed off the Christmas card list.

In the interview Sir Tony said, "We had a debate as to whether or not I should send one to General Gerasimov". 

Earlier in the year the CDS had visited his opposite number in Moscow, and they have had "several other contacts" since then.

However, he did admit he didn't normally send his Christmas well wishes to the Russia as it "wouldn't be appropriate" and all communication has to be or a formal basis.