 Melissinos arrived in Russia during the reign of Peter the Great and ended his career as Vice-President of the Commerce Collegium in 1740-45.During the Russo-Turkish War, 1768-1774, Pyotr Melissino was in charge of the Russian artillery.His efficient command helped Russian forces prevail against a fourfold numerical superiority of the Ottomans at Khotin, Larga, and Kagula.