In 1813, during the fierce Battle of Nations near Leipzig, a French regiment was attacked by rockets fired by the English. This bombardment made such a strong impression on the soldiers that many of them began to surrender en masse. The sight also struck Alexander I, who, upon returning to Russia, commissioned the development of similar weaponry. The task was taken on by the experienced engineer and veteran of the Napoleonic Wars, Alexander Zasyadko.

Although the English borrowed the technology for launching rockets from India, Zasyadko had to independently develop a method for launching projectiles over long distances. He realized that military rockets were based on the principles of fireworks and significantly improved their design, creating incendiary and grenade rockets. Tests conducted near Mogilev exceeded all expectations: three boxes of rockets were used, destroying all targets at distances of up to 6 km. Soon, rockets began to be supplied to the army.

Their first combat use occurred during the Russo-Turkish War of 1828-1829. During the siege of Braila, several dozen rockets were fired at the enemy, which had a stunning effect on the Turks and led to the rapid capitulation of the fortress. Alexander Dmitrievich also improved the tactics of rocket companies by creating a simple yet effective launcher capable of firing rockets one after another. This device became a precursor to the "Katyushas." The effectiveness of salvo fire was demonstrated in the battle for Varna.

Later, rockets began to be used on ships, particularly in the Danube Flotilla, which burned two Turkish gunboats with their help. Rockets were also used to a limited extent in the Crimean War, but Zasyadko did not witness this, as he passed away in 1837 at the age of 57. Thus, the inventions of the Russian engineer were significantly ahead of their time.