Vladimir Putin has faced allegations of deploying nuns as an unconventional tactic against Europe following the exposure of a covert Kremlin scheme operating within a convent.

Startling images depict a nun dressed in traditional attire holding a Russian flag adorned with a ‘Z’ emblem, symbolizing endorsement of the deadly incursion into Ukraine.

Members of the St Elisabeth Orthodox convent, originally from Belarus, were discovered to be active in more than 20 churches throughout Sweden, engaging in fundraising activities and selling religious mementos. Authorities suspect that the generated funds were channeled to support Russian military forces on the front lines.

During one instance, the nuns were observed selling handmade crafts, wooden icons, and knitted items in Täby, a suburb of Stockholm, having been invited by an unaware local vicar with no knowledge of their ties to the Kremlin.

A church affiliated with the closely associated Kazan Icon of the Mother of God was constructed near Stockholm Vasteras airport, which was described as having significant NATO strategic value.

In a previous incident, the nuns were barred from visiting Winchester Cathedral in 2022 due to their pro-war stance.

Catholic and Orthodox communities in Sweden have been cautioned to avoid any collaboration with the St Elisabeth convent and to report any suspicious activities to law enforcement.

Kristina Smith, head of the Church of Sweden’s crisis management team, disclosed that the Russian Orthodox Church had sought to rent facilities near military installations, characterizing the situation as a startling revelation for Sweden.

She conveyed to the Telegraph: “Sweden is experiencing a new phenomenon – the substantial incursion of 2022 served as a wake-up call for many Swedes. Despite our 200-year streak of peace, and our reputation as a friendly nation, it became clear to the entire country that this may not always be the case.”

Recently, a nun from the convent visited occupied territories in Ukraine to boost the morale of Russian troops, with a photo capturing a nun standing beside a tank alongside a smiling soldier.

This development follows the prohibition of a separate convent from the EU Schengen area after being found to have rendered support to Russian military personnel.

An inquiry revealed that nuns from the Narva diocese of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate had been provided with fictitious contracts to raise funds for the procurement of strike drones, Starlink equipment, and specialized military gear.