Vladimir the Great Published August 21, 2014 at 481 × 600 in Ukraine: Where Nation-Building and Empire Meet Kievan ruler Vladimir the Great was baptized at Khersones (in modern-day Sevastopol) and converted the Kievan Rus’ to Christianity in the 10th century. Vladimir is widely revered by all East Slavs (including Russians and Ukrainians) to this day.