Putin Visits Newly Unearthed Remains of Dmitry Donskoy

By Reuters Aug. 20, 2026 Vladimir Putin. kremlin.ru President Vladimir Putin on Thursday visited the sarcophagus of medieval warrior prince Dmitry Donskoy, whose remains were recently uncovered during restoration work at Moscow's Cathedral of the Archangel. Lying within the Kremlin fortress, the Orthodox cathedral served as the burial site for more than 40 Russian tsars and princes down the centuries. The body of Grand Prince Donskoy was known to lie there, but its discovery last month in a crypt by the southern wall surprised historians, who had believed it was located elsewhere in the building. Putin lit a candle inside the frescoed cathedral and stood beside the white-stone sarcophagus as experts explained to the president how they had identified the remains as those of the 14th-century prince, the RIA Novosti news agency reported. The Russian Orthodox Church announced the discovery on Tuesday, saying the well-preserved remains were nearly complete and belonged to a man of just under 180 cm (5 feet, 11 inches), who had died of natural causes between the ages of 35 and 45. "All of these characteristics correspond with written sources and historical testimony concerning the life and death of the grand prince," it said. Donskoy, who died in 1389 aged 39, ruled the principalities of Muscovy and Vladimir, which would later become the core of the Russian state. A prominent figure in Russian history, Donskoy oversaw the construction of the first stone Kremlin fortress, increased the territory of Muscovy and routed Mongol forces in a famous battle near the Don River in 1380. Read more about: Putin , History Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more opinion Leonid Gozman The Self-Obsession at the Heart of Putin’s Wartime Psychology Putin sees the world as frozen in time, united in its inherent hatred of Russia. Understanding this is key to understanding his actions. 4 Min read Russia and Poland’s Holocaust War of Words, in Quotes Moscow and Warsaw are at odds over the causes of World War II and the Holocaust. Putin to Revive Russia’s ‘Great Wall’ The 17th-century defensive wall ran for 800 kilometers through southern and central Russia. ‘He Tried to Fire Putin Twice’: Yeltsin’s Chief of Staff Remembers the 1990s Valentin Yumashev has made headlines for his candid quotes about Putin's rise to power.