Orthodox church sends medieval prince’s remains to Russian troops in Ukraine

Live updates

1. 3d ago

   Orthodox church sends medieval prince remains to Russian troops

   The Orthodox church has dispatched the remains of a medieval prince and 14th-century saint to Russian troops in Ukraine. This unusual deployment aims to boost troop morale as the Kremlin suffers mass casualties on the battlefield. Media reports indicate that the remains include the dead prince's hand. Vladimir Putin reportedly sent the bones of the warrior prince in a desperate bid to influence the war effort. The Moscow Patriarchate has increasingly incorporated the Russian state military narrative into its religious life, blending nationalist messaging with spiritual processions.

   Why it matters

   The Kremlin continues to explore unconventional methods to sustain fighting capacity amid mounting personnel losses. Utilizing religious relics reflects a broader alignment between the Russian state and the Moscow Patriarchate, which now actively merges military objectives with spiritual authority. Such efforts mirror historical tactics where sacred objects were deployed to inspire fighters during existential conflicts.

   What is confirmed

   • The Orthodox church sent a medieval prince's remains to Russian troops in Ukraine.
   • The Kremlin suffers mass casualties in the ongoing war.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Vladimir Putin sent the bones in a desperate bid to boost morale.
   • Russian troops were specifically gifted a dead prince's hand.

   What to watch next

   • Further official announcements from the Kremlin regarding the use of religious relics.
   • Observed impacts on morale or combat operations among Russian units receiving the remains.
   Sources used for this update (6)

   1. The Guardian — Orthodox church sends medieval prince’s remains to Russian troops in Ukraine
   2. The Independent — Putin sends bones of warrior prince to Ukraine in desperate bid to boost morale
   3. New York Post — Russian troops gifted dead prince’s hand in bizarre bid to boost morale as Kremlin suffers mass casualties
   4. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty — The Kremlin Tries A New Weapon For Its War: The Relics Of a 14th-Century Saint
   5. Новая газета Европа — ‘We are Russians, and God is with us!’. Moscow’s ultranationalist march is effectively back, rebranded as a religious procession. Here’s what it looked like this year.
   6. Orthodox Times — Moscow Patriarchate incorporates Russian state’s military narrative into religious life
   confidence 90%