In 1831, during the occupation of the village of Madzhalis in Dagestan, he was wounded by a rifle bullet in his left hand with damage to two fingers, and on March 14, 1832, he was promoted to warrant officer for the distinguish.

However soon enough the Russian detachment under the command of Colonel Zalivkin arrested Harun bek and sent him to Tbilisi.

Meanwhile, Yusuf bek received Order of St. George of the 4th degree on August 18, 1844, as staff captain for his participation in battles against Imam Shamil and as the Khan.

He was promoted to the rank of major on August 19, 1845, and received a golden saber with the inscription "For Bravery".

However, he was an unpopular ruler among his subjects, who rose up against him in 1860 and sent attorneys to Caucasus Viceroyalty, demanding his deposition.