Sablin graduated from the Marine Cadet Corps in 1898 and fought in the suppression of the Boxer Rebellion in China in 1899-1900.

Sablin became the naval Aide de camp to Tsar Nicholas II[2][3] and later in World War I commanded a battalion of the Russian Guard.

He was dismissed from service after the February Revolution and joined the White Russian forces in Ukraine and South Russia.

Sablin was evacuated from Crimea in 1921 and subsequently lived in Constantinople, Berlin and Paris.

Before his death, he wrote his memoirs together with Roman Borisovich Gul detailing his experiences with the Russian Imperial family.