Putin Views Medieval Prince Donskoy's Uncovered Remains
Is this a sacred affirmation of Russia's path or routine restoration confirming only known facts?
Above: Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the reliquary of the warrior prince Dmitry Donskoy in the Archangel Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin on Aug. 20. Image credit: Viacheslav Prokofiev/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-Russia narrative
Russia honors its true heroes by uncovering Dmitry Donskoy's relics after centuries. These remains of the prince who beat the Mongols at Kulikovo affirm the nation's sacred path to sovereignty. Prayers over the bones seek divine shield from all foes unlike misguided tributes elsewhere.
Anti-Russia narrative
The find of these bones amounts to routine restoration work that surprised experts but confirms only known facts. No new spiritual power emerges from a prince long buried in the Kremlin. Such events add nothing to solving modern problems facing the state.
