Basically, Ivan created the first centralized Russian state, and for doing that, he probably deserves the title the Great. And that would be a great place to stop, except then we wouldn't see the kind of absolute rule that characterized Russia for most of the rest of its history, even unto Putin. Oh, I'm just kidding, Putin! You would never rig an election! No, I don't, don't, please don't put me in jail! While Ivan III consolidated Muscovite power, the undeniably brutal streak in Russian governance comes not from the Mongols, but from Ivan IV. Better known as Ivan the Terrible.