The Imperial Russian Army quickly fell apart during 1917 and 1918.

Many Russian officers and soldiers joined the various white Russian factions.

Others deserted.

However, a larger number ultimately joined the new Workers' and Peasants' Red Army organized by Trotsky. Ex-imperial officers were a huge asset because of their experience and training. However, they were watched over very carefully by political commissars assigned to their units by the Bolshevik party.

Many generals who would later rise to the top of the Soviet Army got their start as Imperial Russian Officers who joined the Bolsheviks during the Civil War, including Georgy Zhukov and Kliment Voroshilov.