Remezov joined the Red Army in 1918 and fought in the Russian Civil War as a junior commander. After the war, he graduated from the Frunze Military Academy and went on to command the 45th Rifle Division in 1937. Remezov commanded several military districts between 1938 and 1940. After Operation Barbarossa began on 22 June 1941, Remezov briefly commanded 20th Army and subsequently took command of the 13th Army in Belarus on 8 July after its previous commander was mortally wounded. While leading a counterattack four days later, Remezov was severely wounded.