Vladimir Kantakuzen was descended from the noble Romanian Cantacuzino family in Bessarabia Governorate: son of George Grigorievich Kantakusen.

As part of it participated in Russian-Japanese War, also fought in the 1st Frontier Zaamursky cavalry regiment, the 4th battery of 1st Siberian Rifle Artillery Brigade.

He was awarded the order of St. George 4th degree "For his actions during the battle on August 11, 1914 in the village of La.

1914 at the village of Lapy-Polsky, left without cover, with excellent courage, repulsed with buckshot attack of three squadrons of Hungarian hussars and the bicycle riders who came after them, suddenly attacked the left flank and rear of the battery, and thereby saved his guns from the capture of the enemy."

and St. George's Arms "For having acted brilliantly at the head of the battery, which was the only one to cross to the left bank of the San and at the section of the 42nd Infantry Division (Russia) with its fire from 1200 paces at all times successfully assisted the infantry."