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Church of Sweden Warns of Belarusian ‘Z-Nuns’ Using Parish Sales to Fund Russia’s War

Officials say the St Elisabeth sisters route sales income to pro‑Kremlin causes with links to the GRU.

Overview

  • The Church of Sweden publicly advised congregations to avoid supporting the St Elisabeth convent after confirming pro‑war fundraising ties.
  • Sisters from the Belarusian convent sold religious items in roughly 20 churches across Sweden during the past year.
  • Photographs show the nuns in Russian‑occupied Ukrainian territory alongside soldiers, including images of them in military attire.
  • Kristina Smith, head of the Church of Sweden’s crisis planning unit, said they also cautioned the Russian Orthodox Church about renting facilities near military sites.
  • An investigation highlighted by The Telegraph helped bring the activity to light, and a Swedish rector acknowledged inviting the sisters without knowing their background.