In 1687–1688, Tsykler took part in the first Crimean campaign of Vasily Galitzine. In 1689, after Peter I's revolt against Sophia, Tsykler informed him of Sophia's conspiracy; for this he was elevated to the rank of Duma nobleman and was sent as a voivode to Verkhoturie. In 1696, he was recalled to Moscow to build fortresses on the shore of the Azov sea.