Battle of Albazin

Timeline

1. 1685Albazin · Amur OblastPeng Chun, Lang Tan and Sabusu led Qing forces to Albazin and bombarded the fort with red-barbarian cannons. Kangxi had ordered no massacre, permitting the Russians to surrender and withdraw with arms. Tolbuzin surrendered, most withdrew to Nerchinsk, and a few entered Beijing with the Qing army, later forming the Beijing Russian company. The Qing burned the wooden fort and withdrew, leaving some crops for the returning Russian forces.
2. 1685–1686Albazin · Amur OblastAfter the Qing withdrawal, Nerchinsk learned Albazin stood empty with crops still standing, and sent Tolbuzin back with several hundred men to harvest and rebuild with earthen walls and stronger firepower. Moscow meanwhile decided to send an envoy east to negotiate the border, but rebuilding the post made renewed conflict inevitable.
3. 1686Albazin · Amur OblastLang Tan again besieged Albazin with heavy bombardment. Days after the siege began Tolbuzin was killed by cannon fire and Afanasy Beyton took command. The siege lasted into winter; of some 800 defenders, over half died from bombardment and scurvy. Beijing learned in October that Russia would make peace; Kangxi sent an envoy with the order, and the ceasefire edict was read in December.
4. 1687Albazin · Amur OblastAfter the ceasefire only twenty-odd men remained in the city; the Qing first pulled back the siege lines, and in summer withdrew from Albazin toward Qiqihar and Aigun. The Russians were permitted to resupply but not to hunt or levy taxes. The military stalemate passed into diplomacy, leading directly to the 1689 Treaty of Nerchinsk.