Mikhail Kharitonov

Dates of birth and death unknown. A trusted lieutenant of S. Razin.

In September 1670, Razin sent a detachment under Kharitonov from Simbirsk to capture the fortresses along the Simbirsk fortified line. Between September and December the rebels took Saransk, Kerensk, and Penza; they also fought stubbornly for Shatsk, which was defended by a large contingent of tsarist troops. Kharitonov called on the masses in written appeals to fight for the tsar and Razin against the boyars and voevodas (military commanders). In December 1670, tsarist troops succeeded in crushing the insurgent forces in the region. Kharitonov’s fate is unknown.