On 24 November 1882, he was appointed senior staff adjutant to the 4th Cavalry Division, attaining the rank of colonel on 24 March 1885.

He attained the rank of major-general on 23 June 1899, and was given a special assignment with the Don Cossacks.

He reached the rank of lieutenant-general on 6 December 1905, and was appointed head of the 1st Cavalry Division on 9 October 1906.

On 9 March 1911, he became commander of the 5th Army Corps and General of Cavalry on 6 December 1911.

At the head of the 7th and 10th Infantry Division, he entered the First World War in the 5th Army.