Ivan III Vasilyevich,who is also known as Ivan the B11 Great, is an INTERESTING figure in Russian history. I B13 Ivan had great POLITICAL skills and became a popular leader, uniting many princes in the surrounding area. B13 Ivan the Great's greatest ACHIEVEMENT was tofree Russia from Mongol control. B14 In 1 480, Ivan made an important ANNOUNCEMENT, telling the Mongols that he would no longer pay them the money they wanted. Both sides came together to fight/ and it was unclear В15 which side was more POWERFUL. However, before the battle, the Mongols retreated because B16 of the STRENGTH of Ivan's army and the battle never happened. Тhe Mongols had, in effect, lost and from then on, Russia was a free country.