Caucasian Front
Trifonov was prominent in formation of the Red Army, especially in the Ural regions. During the Russian Civil War, he led the Don Expeditionary Corps and was the first Chairman of the Revolutionary Committee of the Don. In 1919 he commanded the South-Eastern Front operating against Anton Denikin. In 1920 and 1921 he was in command of the Caucasian Front of the Red Army.