In late 1650, Albazin was built as winter quarters by Yerofei Khabarov on the northernmost part of the Amur River, 200 kilometres (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 Russians' custody, murdered the voivode 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 population, Tungusic people, for whom treatment with respect was a great change in comparison to several assaults they had endured under Russian (Cossacks) sovereignty.

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

[2][3] The Qing dynasty 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 Akeksey Tolbuzin to a new voivodeship at Albazin (July 1684).

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

When news of the defeat reached Moscow in November it was decided to abandon the Amur and send an ambassador to Peking.

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, the Kangxi Emperor heard (incorrectly) that the Russian ambassador had reached Mongolia, he ordered the Qing troops withdrawn.