Vladimir Putin is facing allegations of utilizing nuns as an unconventional tool against Europe following the exposure of a covert Kremlin scheme operating within a convent.
Startling images depict a nun in traditional attire displaying a Russian flag adorned with a ‘Z’ emblem, symbolizing endorsement for the lethal invasion of Ukraine. The St Elisabeth Orthodox convent, originally stationed in Belarus, was discovered to be operating in more than 20 churches throughout Sweden, engaging in fundraising activities and selling religious mementos. Authorities suspect that the proceeds were channeled to support Russian military units on the front lines.
In one instance, the nuns were found selling handmade crafts, wooden icons, and knitted items in Täby, a suburb of Stockholm, having been welcomed by an unwitting local vicar who was unaware of their ties to the Kremlin. Notably, a church affiliated with the closely-connected Kazan Icon of the Mother of God was constructed close to Stockholm Vasteras airport, described as having significant strategic value to NATO.
Previously barred from visiting Winchester Cathedral in 2022 due to their pro-war stance, the sisters have now been flagged by Catholic and Orthodox communities in Sweden to avoid any collaboration with the St Elisabeth convent and promptly report any suspicious activities to law enforcement.
Kristina Smith, leading the Church of Sweden’s crisis management unit, disclosed that the Russian Orthodox Church had made attempts to secure facilities near military installations, characterizing the situation as a “harsh awakening” for Sweden. She emphasized that Sweden’s peaceful history was disrupted by the 2022 invasion, prompting a national realization of the country’s vulnerabilities.
Recently, a nun from the convent visited occupied regions of Ukraine to boost the spirits of Russian troops, with a photograph capturing her standing beside a tank alongside a grinning soldier. This development follows the prohibition of a separate convent from the EU Schengen area for aiding Russian forces.
An inquiry uncovered that nuns affiliated with the Narva diocese of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate had engaged in fictitious contracts to raise funds for the procurement of strike drones, Starlink equipment, and specialized military gear.