It was created on November 28, 1768 by Catherine the Great as an emergency body to discuss issues related to the conduct of the war with the Ottoman Empire.

Initially, it was going irregularly, but after the publication of a special decree on January 28, 1769, discussions were happening 1–2 times a week.

After the conclusion of the Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca, the basis for the work of the council ceased, but it continued to act as an advisory institution not only on matters of military and foreign, but also domestic policy (among others, it heard questions about the reform of the local government system and class structure, measures to suppress Pugachev's Rebellion).

In 1770, the General-in-chief, vice-president of the Admiralty Board, Count Ivan Chernyshyov (died in 1797) entered the council.

in 1770, First Admiral and General Intendant of the Fleet, Admiral Sir Charles Knowles, 1st Baronet, (returned to England in 1774 , died 1777)[2] In 1771, the General-in-chief, Commander-in-Chief in the capital city of Moscow, Prince Mikhail Volkonsky (retired in 1780) entered the council.