Grand Duke Nikolai, the second cousin of Tsar Nicholas II was born in 1856. On the outbreak of the First World War Nikolai was appointed Commander in Chief of the Russian Army. However, his deputy, Yuri Danilov, was mainly responsible for decision-making.

Nikolai achieved little success and was removed from office when Tsar Nicholas II took control of the Russian Army in September 1915. Nikolai was sent to Tiblisi where he worked with General Nikolai Yudenich.

His recommendations of constitutional reform were ignored by Tsar Nicholas II and suggested he abdicated during the February Revolution. Nikolai remained in the Crimea until leaving for Italy in March 1919. Grand Duke Nikolai died in France in 1929.