[1] A descendant of an old Armenian noble house he was born in Nukha (modern-day Shaki, Azerbaijan).

In 1865 in the Northern Caucasus, and in 1876 he was appointed as the commander of the Black Sea region.

He was awarded the Order of Saint George of the third degree on 27 October 1877 for his victory in Aladzhi.

Shelkovnikov's division met up with General Ivan Davidovich Lazarev and together they marched on the Turkish line to take the province of Erzerum on 2 October.

Actively and vigorously set about it in its duties, but soon contracted typhus and died 10 February 1878.