Towards the middle of the seventeenth century, the Russians were rapidly extending themselves eastward through that important territory, which lies on each side of the river Amoor. They soon reduced several independent Tungusian hordes; and built a chain of small fortresses along the banks of the abovementioned river, of which the principal were Albasin, and Kamarskoi Ostrog. Not long afterwards, the Chinese under Camhi conceived a similar design of subduing the same hordes. Accordingly, the two great powers of Russia and China, thus pointing their views to the same object, unavoidably clashed; and after several jealousies and intrigues, broke out into open hostilities about the year 1680. The Chinese laid siege to Kamarskoi Ostrog, and though repulsed in this attempt, found means to cut off several straggling parties of Russians. These animosities induced the Czar Alexey Michaelovitch to send an embassy to Pekin; but this measure did not produce the desired effect. The Chinese attacked Albasin with a considerable force: having compelled the Russian garrison to capitulate, they demolished that and all the Russian forts upon the Amoor; and returned, with a large number of prisoners, to their own country.

Not long after their departure, a body of sixteen hundred Russians advanced along the Amoor; and constructed a new fort, under the old name of Albasin. The Chinese were no sooner apprised of their return, than they marched instantly towards that river, and sat down before Albasin with an army of seven thousand men, and a large train of artillery.