Swedish intelligence agencies suspect that the Church of Our Lady of Kazan in Västerås may be a cover for Russian espionage activities.
Swedish intelligence agencies suspect that the Orthodox Church of Our Lady of Kazan in the city of Västerås may be used as a base for Russian espionage. The building is located near a strategically important airport and is causing concern due to suspicious activity.
According to France 24, the church, with its onion-shaped dome and tinted windows, surrounded by a steel fence and surveillance cameras, appears “closed” and has no signs of active church life other than a few weekly services. Locals say the church is unfriendly and does not participate in the life of the community.
Politico reports that the site's location near an airport, water treatment plants, energy plants and the highway to Norway makes it particularly sensitive. Some researchers, including Markus Göransson of the Swedish Defence University, believe the church could be conducting surveillance during military exercises.
In response to requests from journalists, neither representatives of the temple nor the Russian embassy in Stockholm provided comments.
This is not the first time that the Russian Orthodox Church has been suspected of being used as a tool of Kremlin influence. In 2022, Ukrainian intelligence services raided the Kiev Pechersk Lavra over possible espionage activities. The following year, Bulgaria expelled three priests associated with the Russian Orthodox Church, and in April 2025, the Czech Republic announced the exposure of an agent network operating under the cover of the church.
An increasing number of European countries view the Russian Orthodox Church structures abroad not as religious, but as political instruments of Moscow's influence. According to analysts, the Russian government actively uses church organizations to conduct “soft power” operations and gather information.
Let us recall that the church in Västerås was built in the early 2020s, although a permit for its construction was issued back in 2017. During construction, deviations from the approved parameters were allowed: in particular, the height of the spire was 22 meters instead of the permitted 10. The facility is also located just 300 meters from the airfield – the third longest runway in the country – and close to the strategic E18 highway.
