Estonian authorities revoked the residence permits of Russian nuns Ekaterina Chainikova and Sister Yuvenalia (Elvira Korolyova, call sign “Matyushka”), who were formally employed by the Narva Diocese of the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church but in reality lived in Russia while receiving Estonian residence permits and social benefits. The investigation found the nuns openly supported Russia's war against Ukraine, raised funds for Russian military equipment including attack drones and Starlink terminals, and traveled to occupied territories cooperating with Russian Armed Forces units. Estonian officials claim that Russian Orthodox Church structures are exploited by Russian intelligence and military to undermine security in other countries, leading to the ban of these nuns from entering the Schengen Area.

Estonian authorities revoked the residence permits of Russian nuns Ekaterina Chainikova and Sister Yuvenalia (Elvira Korolyova, call sign “Matyushka”), who were formally employed by the Narva Diocese of the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church but in reality lived in Russia while receiving Estonian residence permits and social benefits. The investigation found the nuns openly supported Russia's war against Ukraine, raised funds for Russian military equipment including attack drones and Starlink terminals, and traveled to occupied territories cooperating with Russian Armed Forces units. Estonian officials claim that Russian Orthodox Church structures are exploited by Russian intelligence and military to undermine security in other countries, leading to the ban of these nuns from entering the Schengen Area.