Russia uses medieval prince to boost troop morale
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Vladimir Poutine ordered the exhumation of the remains of Dmitri Donskoï, a 14th-century Russian prince, to bolster the spirits of Russian troops fighting in the Donbass region of Ukraine.
Donskoï, who died in 1389, is remembered as a unifier of Russian lands and a victor at the 1380 Battle of Kulikovo against the Golden Horde, the Mongol empire that once controlled parts of modern Russia. The Russian Orthodox Church canonized Donskoï in 1988, recognizing him as a saint.
Following his exhumation in late August, parts of his remains, including his right arm, have been transported near the front lines by priests and soldiers. The display of the relics aims to rally troops and connect them to a historical figure seen as a symbol of Russian unity and strength. Other portions of Donskoï’s remains are currently exhibited at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow and will travel to other dioceses across Russia.
The Russian Orthodox Spiritual and Cultural Centre in Paris described him as an “exceptional statesman” who laid the groundwork for a consolidated Russia centered around Moscow. Donskoï also oversaw construction projects, including the beginnings of the stone Moscow Kremlin.
