Russian “Z-Nuns” in Sweden: How Churches Became a Channel for Espionage and War Financing

What began as a seemingly harmless act of charity in Swedish churches has turned into a disturbing case of hybrid warfare, where religion, propaganda, and intelligence operations intersect.

An investigation reported by The Telegraph reveals that Orthodox nuns linked to a Belarusian monastery were operating across Sweden, raising money for the Russian army and spreading narratives aligned with Russia’s war against Ukraine.

The case sheds light on how soft power tools, especially religious institutions, are being repurposed in Europe’s security environment.

From Charity Tables to Intelligence Concerns: Who Are the “Z-Nuns”?

The women at the centre of the scandal are representatives of the St. Elisabeth Convent, which was formerly based in Belarus.

According to Swedish media and church officials, members of the convent were active in more than 20 churches across Sweden, collecting donations and selling religious souvenirs such as wooden icons, knitwear, and handcrafted items.

Locally, they became known as “Z-nuns”, a reference to their open use of the pro-invasion “Z” symbol associated with Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Last Christmas, they appeared in the Stockholm suburb of Täby, where they were granted permission to set up a table inside a parish church corridor. The parish priest later admitted he had been unaware of the convent’s political and ideological alignment.

Church of Sweden Sounds the Alarm: “This Is Not Simply Charity”

The Church of Sweden officially warned that the convent’s representatives were using the funds they collected to support the Russian military.

Kristina Smith, the Church’s crisis planning chief, said the activity went far beyond humanitarian aid. “This is not simply about charity. It is part of a broader effort by Russian actors to gain access to religious spaces near military infrastructure in NATO countries,” she warned.

The Church urged Catholic and Orthodox communities throughout Sweden to immediately cease cooperation with the convent.

Open Support for the War: “A Combat Unit in Cassocks”

The ideological alignment of the convent is not subtle. Andrey Lemeshonok, archpriest of the St Elisabeth Convent, has publicly described his nuns as a “combat unit”. He has openly stated that members of the convent travelled to Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine to “raise the fighting spirit” of invading troops.

Such statements place the convent firmly within Russia’s wartime propaganda ecosystem, blurring any line between religious missions and political mobilisation.

A Church by the Runway: Västerås and Strategic Geography

The investigation has also renewed scrutiny of a Russian Orthodox church built near Stockholm-Västerås Airport, roughly 100 kilometres from Stockholm. The Russian Orthodox Church of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God stands just 300 metres from the runway of one of Sweden’s longest and most strategically important airports.

Västerås Airport is classified as an emergency airport, expected to play a key role in the event of war or national crisis. Swedish security services suspect the church’s location could enable surveillance or other intelligence-gathering activities, particularly monitoring air traffic.

Russia denies the allegations, but Swedish authorities are continuing investigations into whether the site has been used for reconnaissance.

Intelligence Links and the GRU Question

According to the Church of Sweden, the convent’s representatives are believed to have ties to the GRU, Russia’s military intelligence service.

While direct operational control has not been publicly demonstrated, the pattern of activity fits known Russian intelligence tactics: exploiting religious, cultural, and humanitarian platforms to gain access, legitimacy, and proximity to sensitive locations.

France 24 previously raised similar concerns, reporting that the Väster’s church received funding from a foundation associated with Rosatom.

Local Clergy Caught Off Guard

Local priests who hosted the nuns have since expressed regret. One parish priest told Swedish media that he never imagined the visits could pose a security risk. He argued that the sums raised were small, unlikely to significantly finance Russian military aggression.

Yet security experts stress that the financial scale is secondary. The real value lies in access, legitimacy, and normalising pro-Kremlin narratives within trusted community spaces.

Religion as a Battlefield

The Swedish case illustrates how modern conflict increasingly unfolds far from the front lines. Churches, charities, and cultural institutions can become vectors for influence and intelligence, particularly in open societies where trust is a default setting.

What makes the “Z-nuns” episode especially unsettling is not just the alleged financing of war, but the deliberate use of faith as camouflage. In Europe’s new security reality, even sacred spaces are no longer neutral.

If you need deeper analysis of Russian hybrid operations, religious influence networks, or security risks in Northern Europe, get in touch for a focused briefing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the “Z-nuns”?
Orthodox nuns linked to the St Elisabeth Convent in Belarus, openly supportive of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

What were they doing in Sweden?
Collecting donations and selling souvenirs in churches across the country.

Why are Swedish authorities concerned?
Because proceeds may have funded Russian military units, and activities may be linked to espionage.

What is special about the Västerås church location?
It is built just 300 metres from a strategic airport used for emergencies and potential wartime operations.

Has Russia responded?
Yes, Moscow denies using churches or religious figures for intelligence purposes.