In March 1989, he was appointed commander of the 28th Combined Arms Army, before returning in July 1991 to Minsk to serve as Chief of Staff of the Belarusian Military District.

During his tenure, he distinguished himself by firing officers from the army who were members of the Belarusian Military Association.

[4][1] Many consider him to be the founder of the modern Belarusian army, which previously inherited Soviet era technologies and traditions.

[4][1] At the end of July 1994, after Alexander Lukashenko came to power, Kozlovsky resigned along with the entire government of Vyacheslav Kebich.

[4] On September 5 of the same year, by presidential decree, he was demoted to lieutenant general for abuse of office (which was not established by the investigation).

[4] Later, Kozlovsky began to focus on social and political activities, creating the International Fund for the Rehabilitation of the Health of Former Servicemen.