Smithsonian Magazine · People & society

Medieval Prince's Remains Sent to Russian Troops in Ukraine

The Russian Orthodox Church has sent a fragment of the remains of 14th-century Prince Dmitry Donskoy to soldiers in Ukraine, aiming to provide spiritual support.

The relic, a piece of Donskoy's right hand, is housed in a reliquary and will be displayed to combat units along Russia's front line in Donetsk. Donskoy is a historical figure revered for leading Russia's first major victory against Mongol occupiers in 1380.

The remains were discovered this summer during renovations at Moscow's Cathedral of the Archangel. Donskoy, canonized in 1988, died in 1389 at age 39. The discovery involved collecting textile and bone fragments for analysis without a full archaeological protocol.

Critics suggest this invocation of Donskoy, who also had a Soviet tank column named after him during WWII, is an attempt to frame the ongoing conflict as a defensive struggle for Russia.

The Russian Orthodox Church stated that the "holy commander" is going to where the "fate of the fatherland is being decided today" to "invisibly take his place in the same battle ranks as our defenders."

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