 In the middle of the 1780s the Golitsyns settled in Paris, where Dmitriy studied military science.In 1785 Golitsyn returned to Russia and entered the cavalry.During the Kościuszko Uprising he fought under Aleksandr Suvorov and on 24 October 1794 distinguished himself at the Battle of Praga and earned his first Order of St. George of the 4th degree.