In 1643, a work was published in Rome recounting the uprising of Russian slaves on a Turkish ship, which led to the hijacking of the vessel from Istanbul. It is worth noting that the word "katorga" is linked to the name of the ship, equipped with sails and oars, where the slaves, predominantly Russian, worked. Cossack Mikula, who converted to Islam to gain the trust of the Turks, had previously arranged with the Spaniard Silvestre to smuggle sabers and gunpowder onto the ship. Then Mikula, sacrificing his life, ignited the gunpowder, causing an explosion that freed the chains of the captives.

The Russians, dragging their chains, stormed onto the upper deck, where they saw the burning cabin at the stern, flames reaching up the mast to the sail, and charred, stunned guards. The slaves killed almost all the Turks, leaving only the captain and a few senior sailors alive, without whom hijacking the ship would have been impossible. That night, explosions, gunfire, screams, and the clanging of weapons were heard from the shore. However, for unknown reasons, the Ottomans decided to postpone the inspection until morning, and by dawn, the ship had already vanished from the horizon.

The Russian captives traveled a great distance, crossed the Mediterranean Sea, and docked at a Spanish port. From there, 28 individuals decided to make their way home through Western Europe. They walked through Italy, where they recounted their adventures in Rome, then through Austria, and finally reached the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. At that time, relations between Russia and Poland were complicated. Fortunately, rumors of the heroic feat of the convicts preceded them, and Polish King Władysław IV decided not to hinder them, even providing money and wagons to ease their journey.

Tsar Mikhail Fyodorovich also recognized the brave "sailors," rewarding them with a substantial salary. Subsequently, at their own request, the former slaves, most of whom were Cossacks, chose to continue their service and remained in Ukraine.