Vasily Iosifovich Gurko, one of the outstanding commanders of the Great War, was known for his "active, brilliant, and flexible mind." He quickly grasped the essence of matters, gave clear instructions, and encouraged the initiative of his assistants. Historians and memoirists noted him as a strict, demanding, and fair leader, possessing exceptional courage and charm outside of service.

Gurko was born on May 20, 1864, in Tsarskoye Selo, in the family of the hero of the Russo-Turkish War, General Field Marshal Iosif Vladimirovich Gurko. He graduated from the Page Corps and the Nikolayev Military Academy, starting his service in the Life Guards Grodno Hussar Regiment. During the Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1900, Gurko served as a military agent with the Boer forces and was promoted to colonel for successfully completing his mission.

During the Russo-Japanese War, he participated in the Wafango operation, covering the retreat to Liaoyang and ensuring the army's protection. From November 1904, he headed the staff of General Rennenkampf in the battles of Mukden. From 1906 to 1911, Gurko led the Military Historical Commission to describe the Russo-Japanese War and collaborated with the Duma's defense commission.

Gurko met the Great War as the commander of the 1st Cavalry Division. On the very first day of the war, his units captured Markgrabov, obtaining important reconnaissance information. In the Battle of the Masurian Lakes, his division held off two German cavalry divisions, allowing the army to avoid encirclement. For this, he was awarded the Order of St. George 4th class and took command of the 6th Army Corps, which distinguished itself in the Lodz operation.

In 1915, his troops defeated the German army at Zhuravino, taking many prisoners and trophies. In 1916, Gurko commanded the Special Army of the Western Front, but the battle for Kovel was unsuccessful. Despite this, he managed to hold the front and did not allow the enemy to go on the offensive.

Gurko developed a campaign plan for 1917, which envisioned a strategic solution on the Romanian front and the Balkans, but it was not implemented. In 1917, Gurko presided over the Petrograd Conference of Allies, receiving high praise from foreign diplomats.

His wife, Emilia Nikolaevna, also distinguished herself during the war, working as a nurse at the front. She refused comfortable conditions in the rear, preferring to be close to the soldiers.

After the revolution, Gurko tried to maintain discipline in the army, but after the Declaration of the Rights of Servicemen was made public, he resigned, warning of the army's disintegration. Soon he was arrested and imprisoned in the Peter and Paul Fortress, but he and his wife were able to leave Russia shortly thereafter.

In exile, Gurko lived in Italy, participated in the activities of the Russian All-Military Union, and wrote books and articles. Vasily Iosifovich Gurko passed away on February 11, 1937, and was buried in the Roman cemetery of Testaccio.