Russian Orthodox Church Sends Bones of Medieval Warrior Prince to Ukraine Front to Boost Troop Morale

By Reuters Sep. 10, 2026 Bone fragment from the right hand of Dmitry Donskoy. Military Department of the Moscow Patriarchate / Telegram Bone fragments from the sword hand of a medieval Russian prince who won a famous victory over the Mongols have been sent to the front in Ukraine to raise army morale in the Russian Orthodox Church's latest show of support for the war. The sarcophagus of Grand Prince Dmitry Donskoy, who died in 1389 and is revered by Russian nationalists for defeating the Mongol Golden Horde at the 1380 Battle of Kulikovo, was uncovered this summer during restoration work at Moscow's Cathedral of the Archangel inside the Kremlin. Putin personally inspected what experts said were the prince's well-preserved remains in August, hailing them as "an absolutely unique and marvellous discovery" that reinforced the foundations of Russian history. The Russian Orthodox Church, which has backed Putin throughout the conflict, said it had dispatched a fragment of Donskoy's right hand to Donetsk, one of four Ukrainian regions Russia claims to have annexed in 2022. Referring to Donskoy as "the holy commander," the Moscow Patriarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church said part of his remains had been sent to the front to stand invisibly shoulder-to-shoulder with Russian troops. "A fragment of the Grand Prince's right hand — the very same right hand with which he wielded his sword on Kulikovo Field — has been sent to the front to strengthen the soldiers' spirits," it said in a statement. The relic, held in a small ornate casket beneath toughened glass, will be shown to Russian combat units along the front line, it said. Donskoy, whose name was given to a Soviet tank column funded by the church in World War II, was declared a saint by the Russian Orthodox Church in 1988. Read more about: Orthodox church , Ukraine war 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 Russian Orthodox Church to Send More 'Military Priests' to Front Lines in Ukraine Senior Church figures argue that the army lacks spirituality and that greater religiosity among troops would bolster their effectiveness against Ukraine... 3 Min read Russians Weary of War, Turning to TV for Distraction, Moscow Patriarch Says “The large number of entertainment events and TV shows… contrasts greatly with what’s happening now” on the front lines in Ukraine, Patriarch Kirill... 1 Min read Ukraine Files Charges Against Russian Orthodox Chief Kyiv wants "to bring Patriarch Kirill to justice" for "infringing" on Ukraine’s territorial integrity, justifying armed aggression and planning and preparing... 1 Min read Ukrainian POWs Transferred to Hungary – Russian Orthodox Church Kyiv said it had not been informed of the move and only learned about the exchange from public statements by the Hungarian side. 2 Min read