Ivan III tearing the khan's letter to pieces, an apocryphal 19th-century painting by Aleksey Kivshenko.
Invasion of Russia by the Golden Horde
Independence from the Mongol Rule
Russia was under Mongol rule from 1240 to 1480. The Mongols collected tribute from Russian princes. All the princes recognized the Mongol khans as their rulers and allowed the Mongols to choose the Grand Prince from the Russians.
However, not only Mongols took advantage but also Russia could gain advantages. Mongols' attack helped Moscow expand their influence and could directly attack their enemies. Also, using Moscow as the trade city, people could pass through safely. Thus, Eastern Orthodox church was built in 1325.
Ivan III insisted Russian independence from the Mongols. He stopped paying tribute to the Khan in 1476 and officially stopped paying it in 1480.
As the Mongol's position weakened in Russia in the later 14th century, Dmitry Donskoy defeated Mongols at the battle of Kulikovo Field. This helped strengthen the idea of a unified Russia, and symbolizes stabilized Russia. Then, Ivan III finally broke Mongol rule over Russia in 1480. Thus, Moscow became the centre of the Russia by expanding its borders.