Upon entering the prestigious Alexander Lyceum in St. Petersburg, young Alexander Bulatovich passed all exams with excellent marks but unexpectedly received a three in geography. Later, he compensated for his lack of theoretical knowledge with practice, creating maps that were used to study Africa. After graduating from gymnasium, Bulatovich, coming from a military family, also decided to dedicate himself to service in the army.

He applied for admission to the Life Guards Hussar Regiment. Alexander mastered horseback riding well and skillfully wielded a saber. However, he found service in the regiment boring, and in 1896, he submitted a new application to join the Russian Red Cross mission preparing to go to Ethiopia.

At that time, leading colonial powers were vying for control over Abyssinia, and Russia decided to support its black brothers in the Orthodox faith. They secretly supplied weapons, medicines, ammunition, and sabers, while Russian instructors trained the local army. Bulatovich served as a courier between the troops and the King of Ethiopia, Menelik II.

This hussar was the first among Europeans to create accurate maps of the western part of Abyssinia and engaged in counterintelligence, identifying, for example, English agents in the king's entourage. Additionally, Bulatovich drew Menelik II's attention to Ethiopia's defense capabilities and proposed creating a network of fortifications and strengthening border troops. His recommendations helped Ethiopia maintain its independence for many years.

As for Bulatovich's further fate, it was full of unexpected turns: he participated in suppressing the Boxer Rebellion in China, took monastic vows, and fought on the fronts of World War I in the Balkans. After the revolution, he returned to Russia, went to his native village, and was killed at night by bandits while trying to protect a random passerby.