Grenadiers as elite soldiers first appeared in the Russian Armed Forces under Peter the Great, forming separate companies within the guard and regular infantry regiments, as well as in the form of grenadier regiments.

In the 18th century, grenadier units (regiments and battalions) in the Russian army were not separate formations but operated as part of larger infantry units.

During World War I, the 3rd Grenadier Division fought against German and Austro-Hungarian forces on the Western and Southwestern Fronts.

The division participated in the Czestochowa-Kraków operation in November 1914,[3] the Battle of Tanev from June 18 to 25, 1915,[4][5][6] and the Battle of Lublin-Holm from July 9 to 22, 1915.

Headquarters (Moscow) 1st Grenadier Brigade (Vladimir) 2nd Grenadier Brigade (Moscow) 3rd Grenadier Artillery Brigade (Rostov, Yaroslavl Province) January 1917: 5  • 6  • 2nd Caucasus This Russian military article is a stub.