In 1854 General Annenkov was appointed Interim Governor-General of New Russia and Bessarabia, a posting that coincided with the
Crimean War. His actions during the
Siege of Sevastopol (1854–1855) and the
bombardment of Odessa resulted in further decorations: the silver medal and the light-bronze medal. Annenkov was a co-founder, in 1856, of the
Moscow-
Saratov Railway with General Semyon Alexeievich Yurievich, Paul von Derwies, and the
Privy Councilors M.N. Zhemchuzhnikov and Konstantin I. Arsenyev. The initial line of this railway was opened from Moscow to
Kolomna on 20 July (1 August) 1862. It was reorganized as the Moscow-
Ryazan Railway in 1863, and an extension to Ryazan was opened on 27 August (8 September) 1864. From 1856 to 1862 Annenkov served as State Comptroller of the Imperial Court. In 1861
Tsar Alexander II of Russia promoted him to Full General,
Order of St. Vladimir. His final posting, from 1862 to 1865, was as Governor-General of Kiev and the western provinces; however, illness cut short his service, and he retired to
Nice, France, for recuperation. As a final duty to the state, General Annenkov accompanied the body of
Nicholas Alexandrovich, Tsarevich of Russia, back to Russia. Even though Annenkov rejoined the State Council upon returning, he died shortly thereafter. == Family ==