They were keen to gain a foothold in the proximity of the Amur River and, after several clashes with the Daurs under Prince Albaza or Albaaši (Sinicized: 阿爾巴西), established a Russian fort of Albazin in 1651.

In late 1650 Albazin was built as winter quarters by Yerofei Khabarov on the northernmost part of the Amur River, 125 miles downstream from the junction of the Argun and Shilka.

In 1655 Nikifor Chernigovsky, a Pole who had been exiled to Siberia after an unsuccessful attempt to run away from the Russian's custody, murdered the voyevoda of Ilimsk in retaliation for the rape of his daughter, and fled to the Amur, where he reoccupied the ruins of Albazin and gathered a band of supporters.

Chernigovsky soon gained the support of the local Tungusic population, whom he treated with respect, in contrast to several assaults they had suffered under Russian (Cossack) sovereignty.

In the coming years, Siberian governors made several failed attempts to regain control over Albazin; however, Chernigovsky was able to keep his position by playing the Russians against the Chinese, and vice versa.

[1][2] The Qing did little about Albazin because their forces were tied up in southern China and because they were concerned about possible Russian backing for their enemies in Mongolia.

From 1681 there were Qing threats against Albazin, talks were held on the Nen River and minor Russian forts were destroyed along the Zeya.

Moscow responded by making Ivan Vlasov voyevoda of Nerchinsk and appointing Aleksey Tolbuzin [ru] to a new voyevodstvo at Albazin (July 1684).

The Qing army thereupon piled dry wood along the fort's wooden walls and when they began to light it, Tolbuzin surrendered (exact date uncertain).

The crops were gathered, Albazin was refortified with earthen walls and efforts were made to bring the natives back into subjection.

When, in August 1687, Kangxi heard (incorrectly) that the Russian ambassador had reached Mongolia, he ordered the Qing troops withdrawn.