Dmitry's father was Yury of Zvenigorod, the son of the hero of the Battle of Kulikovo, Dmitry Donskoy. According to the old testament of Dmitry Donskoy, written when his eldest son Vasily I had no children, Yury was to receive the throne of the Grand Duchy. After the birth of the grandson of Dmitry Donskoy, Vasily II, the issue was not finally resolved, which led to a confrontation between the uncle (Yury of Zvenigorod) and nephew (Vasily II). The sons of Yury were also involved in this struggle for power.