In 1916, General Kornilov managed to escape from Austrian captivity on his third attempt, traveling from Vienna to the Romanian border and returning to Russia. He was greeted with enthusiastic applause as a true hero, and the Order of Saint George 3rd class was personally awarded to him by Nicholas II. After recovering, Lavr Georgievich was appointed commander of a corps and sent to the front, but soon the February Revolution broke out. On March 15, 1917, in one of his last orders, the Tsar appointed Kornilov commander of the troops in the Petrograd region. The general arrived in the capital after the overthrow and did not have time to take any action. Soon, Kornilov had to arrest the Tsar's family by order of the Provisional Government, but he saved the Empress and the children from possible retribution, as had happened during the French Revolution. It is worth noting that the Empress, Grand Duke Pavel Alexandrovich, Counts Benkendorf and Apraxin expressed their respect for him.

Kornilov did not remain in his position for long, unwilling to be a silent witness to the demise of Russia, and went to the front, where he became the commander of the 8th Army. His troops were the only ones who managed to go on the offensive in the summer, and soon Kornilov was appointed first commander of the Southwestern Front, and then became the Supreme Commander. Great hopes were placed on him; people believed in him, but at the August congress in Moscow, Kerensky suddenly saw in the general an independent figure capable of leading the country out of crisis, and he became frightened. Soon he asked Kornilov to transfer loyal troops to the capital to restore order and possibly repel the German troops' assault. But the very next day, he declared Kornilov a rebel and issued an order for his removal from office.

Kornilov refused to resign and issued a statement accusing Kerensky of treachery, who in turn ordered the general's arrest. Kornilov's loyal military offered to fight, but he did not want to shed blood and was soon arrested. Along with him, all those who openly opposed Kerensky's betrayal were captured, as he staged a provocation, accused Kornilov of rebellion, and seized power.