After attending gymnasium school in Novocherkassk in 1888, he began studying mathematics at Moscow University.

He soon decided on a military career and attended the Nicholas General Staff Academy.

[2] An English translation of his book Afghanistan, published in 1921, was released in England in 1924.

The book consists of a written version of the lectures he delivered to the Oriental Section of the Military Academy of the Red Army between autumn 1919 and spring 1920.

He was later taken to Leningrad by his family to receive better medical care and released on parole in September, 1934.