 First established in 1864 in the Russian Empire as part of reforms of the military administrative system, the district was disbanded and its territory transferred to the Kiev Military District and the Moscow Military District in 1888.The district was reestablished by the Red Army during the Russian Civil War in January 1919, but disbanded in September after its territory was taken over by White troops.It was reestablished in January 1920 after its territory was recaptured by the Red Army, but was disbanded in 1922 and its troops subordinated to the Southwestern Military District, which soon became the Ukrainian Military District.