Yashvil was born to an émigré Georgian noble family of Iashvili. He had an older brother Vladimir, who would also rise to the rank of a General and become personally involved in the assassination of Emperor Paul I of Russia.
Yashvil graduated from the cadet corps as an artillery officer in 1786 and took part in the Russo-Turkish War, earning the rank of lieutenant after the success at Kinburn and Ochakov. Following the peace treaty Yashvil deployed to Poland for the Polish campaign of 1794, where he played a decisive role in initial victories that culminated in the unsuccessful Siege of Warsaw. His deeds during battle and for the capture of the suburbs of Prague and eventually the city itself, Yashvil was awarded with the orders of Saint Vladimir 2nd and Saint George 4th degree. From 1794 to 1799 Yashvil was part of the Guard Horse Artillery. He was promoted to captain in 1799 and colonel the following year and from 1801 to 1806 was transferred to several Guard battalions of the artillery. In that period he took upon himself to restore and modernise the Russian artillery.
Napoleonic wars
With the Fourth Coalitiondeclaring war against Napoleonic France in 1805, colonel Yashvil was assigned to Austria where he took part in several decisive battles against Napoleon. The battles of Heilsberg, Eylau and Guttstatd in particular earned him another Order of St. George, 3rd degree this time, two swords of the award Gold Sword for Bravery and one of the two highest Prussian military honors Pour le Mérite. In addition he was declared the most valuable asset of the campaign. In 1808 Yashvil was promoted to major general. During Napoleon's invasion of Russia in 1812, he first commanded the 4th artillery brigade under field marshalWittgenstein and for his conducts at the battle of Klyastitsy and Battle of Chashniki he received the rank of lieutenant-general. Following the French retreat from Russia, Yashvil was appointed commander of the Russian artillery in 1813. For his participation in the Prussian and Saxony campaigns, he received several more decorations, including the second highest Prussian award, the Order of the Red Eagle. During a field inspection of the army in Champagne, Russian regent Alexander I awarded general Yashvil with the Order of Saint Vladimir1st degree, for the brilliant state of the imperial artillery. Throughout his service he maintained good and favourable relations with the tsar.
Later years
After the war with the French and his return to Russia, Yashvil served as the commander of artillery of the First Western Army, from 1816 until his retirement in 1833. In 1819 he was promoted to General of the Artillery. Prior to that, he took part in suppressing the 1830-31 November Uprising in Poland. After serious health issues he then requested retirement from service in 1833. His last award was the highest Russian honor, the Order of St. Andrew. Lev Yashvil would die three years later in Kiev. The general was buried at the Vydubychi Monastery.
Awards
Order of Saint Alexander Nevsky Pour le Mérite Order of the Red Eagle Two times Order of Saint Vladimir Two times Order of St. George Order of Saint Anna Order of Saint John Two times Gold Sword for Bravery
