Nikolai's great grandfather was sergeant major Zaharije Dabić, who in February 1754 is mentioned as living in the newly-established Russian province Slavo-Serbia under commanders Rajko Depreradović and Jovan Šević.
[3] He participated in the Russo-Japanese War as commander of the ironclad Russian cruiser Gromoboi (Thunderer).
[5] Because of the courage exhibited in battle by everyone aboard, the greatest praise of all belonged to Captain Dabić of the Gromoboi[6] [7] for setting an example while wounded under fierce barrage shelling by the superior Japanese force.
Promoted to the rank of vice-admiral the following year (20 October 1908), he was placed on the Retired List at his own request, owing to wounds sustained in the Russo-Japanese War.
In addition, Dabić was awarded the Prussian Order of the Red Eagle III level.