[1] Following the invasion of Ukraine by the Central Powers, Kalashnykov was arrested by the newly-established Ukrainian State and imprisoned in Oleksandrivsk, where he awaited execution alongside Savelii Makhno.

These included Kalashnykov and Makhno, who immediately returned home to Huliaipole and joined the insurgents led by Savelii's brother Nestor.

[6] On 27 December 1918, Kalashnykov led a partisan band on a morning train to Katerynoslav, which they bloodlessly captured from the Ukrainian People's Army.

[9] On the outskirts of Berdiansk, Kalashnykov's Regiment held off from entering the city until 28 March, in order to allow the civilian inhabitants to escape.

[14] But before this could happen, Kalashnykov led his regiment in a mutiny against the Red command,[15] capturing Kochergin's headquarters in Novyi Buh.

[14] On 30 August, at the Pomichna station, Kalashnykov fought two armored trains with several echelons of Red Army soldiers who were retreating from Odesa.