After his studies at the University of Pavia, Russ served as a soldier in the Burgundian Wars, participating in the battles of Grandson, Murten and Nancy. In 1478, Russ was furthermore involved in a campaign of his hometown Lucerne against the city of Bellinzona. On occasion of the following peace negotiations between the Swiss Confederation and the Dukes of Milan, Russ probably seized the chance to make a journey to France.