Due to Rákóczi's War of Independence (1703–1711), the position of Serbian militiamen in the Military Frontier of the Habsburg monarchy was endangered.

In 1704 the first Serbian attempts were made to offer their services to the Russian Empire in the latter's struggle against the Ottomans.

During this period, a small group of Serbs, including Jovan Albanez, emigrated to Russia.

[3] In 1723, Peter the Great sent Albanez to the Pomorišje and Potisje regions of the Military Frontier of the Habsburg monarchy to recruit additional Serbian militiamen.

[11] Until 1734, the regiment did not have a permanent garrison, although it had been established with the primary intention of securing the Ukrainian front line.