When his elder brother Vasily died young, Dmitry remained the chief heir to his illustrious father.

Four years later, when Dmitry had turned 18, he was welcomed back to Novgorod and — together with his future son-in-law, Daumantas of Pskov — led a local militia against Livonian Knights in the Battle of Rakvere.

In 1281, Andrey returned to Russia, joined his forces with princes of Rostov and Yaroslavl and, after much devastation to Dmitry's lands, seized his capital Pereslavl.

Two years later, Dmitry returned to Russia, only to find his lands ravaged by the Mongols and his brother Andrey.

Wishing to increase his authority in Russia, Nogai vowed to support Dmitry in his struggle for the grand ducal throne.