His military service Yuzefovich started as junker at the Chuguev Uhlan Regiment () commanded by his uncle Dmitriy Yuzefovich (), a Russian hero of the 1812 Patriotic War. In 1822 Mikhail Yuzefovich was promoted to the rank of cornet. Since 1826 he served at Caucasus region and as a poruchik took part in the 1828–1829 Russo-Turkish War. Yuzefovich had been distinguished at the 1828 Siege of Kars and the 1829 battle of Bayburt (both in northeast Anatolia Region). In 1830 the Yuzefovich's regiment was transferred to a garrison service and rerouted to extinguish the 1830-1831 Polish Uprising. In 1836 he resigned due to health in rank of major.