The Russian Orthodox Church has sent a fragment of the remains of medieval Grand Prince Dmitry Donskoy to Russian forces in Ukraine in an effort to boost troop morale and support the Kremlin’s war effort.
Donskoy, who died in 1389, is revered by Russian nationalists for defeating the Mongol Golden Horde at the 1380 Battle of Kulikovo. His sarcophagus was uncovered during restoration work at Moscow’s Cathedral of the Archangel earlier this year.
The church said a fragment of Donskoy’s right hand, described as the hand that wielded his sword at Kulikovo, had been taken to Donetsk. The relic will be displayed to Russian military units along the more than 1,000 km front line.
President Vladimir Putin inspected the remains in August and described their discovery as significant for Russian history.
At a ceremony in Donetsk, senior Kremlin official Sergei Kiriyenko and military commanders kissed the relic and prayed for Russia’s forces. Church officials have portrayed the remains as a source of divine support for Russian troops.
The move has drawn criticism from some Orthodox figures, who accuse the church of using religious relics to support the Kremlin and question the renewed focus on Donskoy’s remains during the war.
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