Russian military forces lost a portion of the relics of Prince Dmitry Donskoy during a retreat near the town of Lyman in Ukraine, according to reporting by the Telegram channel “Kremlin’s Snuffbox” cited by the Bulgarian outlet Площад Славейков and further detailed by news.bg. The Russian Orthodox Church confirmed the loss of the casket containing the remains, which had been brought to the front lines to boost the morale of troops.
The Journey of the Relics to the Front Lines
In September, leadership within the Russian Orthodox Church dispatched a particle of the right hand of Prince Dmitry Donskoy to the active combat zone. Before reaching the front, the casket was carried in a religious procession through the streets of Moscow. Local and Russian officers later gathered in Donetsk to bow before the relics during a prayer service held in front of the Mamayev Kurgan World War II memorial. Metropolitan Vladimir of Donetsk and Mariupol publicly called for divine assistance for the Russian forces. On Sept. 14, the Russian Ministry of Defence announced that the reliquary containing the remains had been formally handed over to service members of the “West” military grouping, which operates in the Kupyansk and Lyman directions.
Russian Troops Abandon Reliquary During Hasty Retreat Near Lyman
The reliquary was abandoned on the battlefield when Russian troops retreated from an area that came under heavy fire. According to a source cited by “Kremlin’s Snuffbox,” the military units had gathered for a prayer service when the position was targeted by shelling. Troops were forced to pull back rapidly, leaving the sacred object behind in territory now controlled by opposing forces. Russian military blogger Alex Parker corroborated that occupation forces lost the relics during their withdrawal near Lyman in the Donetsk region, where Ukrainian defenders are conducting an offensive operation known as “Operation Vivaldi.”
Church Officials Face Criticism from Presidential Administration over Lost Relics
The loss has triggered internal friction between military insiders and church officials. Representatives of the presidential administration criticized church leadership for failing to alter the course of the conflict after promising that the presence of the relics would serve as a turning point. A source within the presidential administration stated that church officials are attempting to construct a narrative about lost relics to obscure operational ineffectiveness and mislead authorities, including Vladimir Putin. Meanwhile, Vakhtang Kipshidze, a representative of the Russian Orthodox Church, dismissed the reports of the lost relics as a fabrication intended to spread anti-church sentiment.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Lost Relics
Who was Prince Dmitry Donskoy?
Dmitry Ivanovich Donskoy served as the Grand Prince of Moscow from 1363 to 1389 and Grand Prince of Vladimir-Suzdal from 1362 to 1389. He is historically recognized for firmly establishing Moscow as the political center of Russian lands and leading the first major challenge by Russian principalities against the Mongol Golden Horde in the late 14th century.
Which military units received the reliquary before it was lost?
The Russian Ministry of Defence reported that the reliquary was specifically transferred to personnel within the “West” military grouping, which operates across active combat sectors including Kupyansk and Lyman.
How has the Russian Orthodox Church officially responded to the reports?
Vakhtang Kipshidze, speaking for the Russian Orthodox Church, rejected the claims regarding the missing remains as entirely fictitious and alleged they were distributed with anti-church motivations.
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