Russia sends religious relics of Prince Dmitry Donskoy to Ukraine front

The Moscow Patriarchate has dispatched religious relics to the front lines in eastern Ukraine, specifically to military bases within Russian-occupied territories. The relics consist of a fragment of the right hand of Dmitry Donskoy, a 14th-century prince celebrated for defeating the Mongols at the Battle of Kulikovo in 1380.

The military department of the Russian Orthodox Church stated that the “saint commander” would stand “shoulder to shoulder” with Russian soldiers. Experts suggest this move is part of a broader effort by the Kremlin to utilize religious symbolism to frame the invasion as a “righteous” cause and a defensive struggle for the fatherland.

Scholars, including Sergei Chapnin of Fordham University, note that the relationship between the Russian state and the Church has reached a point where they are nearly indistinguishable. This use of sacred relics is described as a “mobilizing myth” intended to influence the collective consciousness and provide spiritual support to troops as they prepare for winter operations.