The historical work by V. Yazvitsky recreates the era of Ivan III’s rule (1440–1505), during which the territorial core of a unified Russian state took shape. This happened as a result of the internal policy of reunification of ancient Russian princely cities of Yaroslavl, Novgorod, Tver, Vyatka, and others. At the same time, as Rus was being strengthened from within, its international prestige grew in the West and the East.