Transcaucasian Military District
His military career Lytvyn started out in the Group of Soviet Forces in Germany in 1979–1980. In 1980–84 he studied at the Higher Military Political College of Engineer Troops and Forces of Communication in Donetsk. In 1984–90 Lytvyn was stationed in the Transcaucasian Military District (Azerbaijan SSR) serving in the 104th Guards Airborne Division.