US media labels Russian orthodox church in Sweden a security threat

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, most things that have anything to do with Russia are now considered suspicious and dangerous – and churches are no exception.

In an article, the left-liberal newspaper Politico portrays the Russian Orthodox Church in Västerås as “a potential threat to Sweden’s national security” that risks being used for “Russian intelligence activities”.

It points out that the Holy Mother of God of Kazan Russian Orthodox Church, as it is actually called, is “very close to a strategically important airport, a water treatment works and advanced energy companies” in the city.

“Amid a wave of alleged plots by suspected Russian operatives to target infrastructure and murder opponents across Europe, security experts say Sweden should clamp down on Moscow-aligned institutions across the country — including this church”, it continues.

Politico has also spoken to analysts who claim that the church “could be used for intelligence gathering” and that the building could be used to monitor Swedish military exercises.

The left-leaning newspaper argues that “Moscow is continuing to find ways to provide cover for its operatives overseas” and that “the Russian Orthodox Church appears to be emerging as one potential conduit for Moscow’s covert actions abroad”.

However, no evidence is presented that such actions have been carried out or planned in the church at all, instead the alleged threat seems to be of a more hypothetical nature.

Stopped government funding

It is also highlighted as something positive that Kiev as recently as August completely banned the Russian Orthodox Church from operating in the country – even then with reference to alleged intelligence activities.

The Swedish authority SST has previously, on the advice of the Swedish Security Police (SÄPO), stopped the state funding of the church – this with reference to the fact that the church’s representatives “had contacts” with people who are considered to work for Russian intelligence in Sweden.

– The Russian state is using the Russian Orthodox Church in Sweden as a platform to conduct intelligence activities in Sweden, a spokesperson for the agency claimed.

“Concerns over the Russian church here echo those raised over acquisitions by private Russian citizens of buildings close to strategic military sites across the Nordic countries”, Politico continues, describing how Russian citizens have been denied the opportunity to buy property in Finland on the grounds of national security – something Sweden is keen to emulate.