The 77th was created as a reserve unit to replace active units sent into combat during the Russo-Japanese War in 1904 under the command of Major General Alexander Lebedev. It was disbanded in 1906.[2][3]: 121
It was again formed as a reserve division in 1914 when the Russian Imperial Army mobilized for World War I. It was disbanded in 1918 when the army demobilized following the Russian Revolution.[3]: 121