He was born to a state servants Orthodox family. In 1888 he graduated from the First Moscow Cadet Corps. In 1891 he graduated from the Mikhailov Artillery School and placed in the Life Guards 3rd Artillery Brigade. In 1897 he graduated from the Nikolaev Academy of the General Staff. On January 17, 1898 he became the senior adjutant of the headquarters of the 38th Infantry Division. Since May 6, 1898 he was the chief officer for instructions at the headquarters of the Warsaw Military District. He was commander of a company and served in the Life Guards Regiment of the Keksholm Regiment from 1898 to 1899.
