This species grows across the Caucasus and Türkiye. The extent of occurrence (EOO) for the species is estimated as 770,146 km² and the area of occupancy (AOO) is estimated as 264 km². Although the figure for AOO may represent an underestimate due to incomplete botanical inventory, the AOO is considered unlikely to exceed the 2,000 km² threshold for the Vulnerable category under criterion B2. The number of locations for the species is suspected to exceed ten. Across its entire range, the species is inferred to be experiencing continuing decline in EOO, AOO, quality of habitat and number of subpopulations, with extirpation from historical sites in Lebanon, and threats presented by overgrazing, agricultural expansion, recreational activities, settlement and infrastructure construction, and mining. Given inferred ongoing decline, and a restricted area of occupancy, this species nearly qualifies as Vulnerable under criterion B2. It is therefore assessed as Near Threatened B2b(i,ii,iii,iv).

This species grows across the Caucasus and Türkiye. In Türkiye, it has been recorded from Adana, Kars, Kastamonu, Agri, Amasya, Ankara, Konya, Yozgat, Hatay, Denizli, Erzincan, Erzurum and Gumushane vilayets. In Armenia, it grows in Upper Achuryan, Lori, Aragats, Aparan, Sevan, Gegham, Yerevan and Dareghegis floristic regions. In Russia, it is known from Karachay-Cherkessia, Krasnodar Kray and Dagestan. In Georgia, it occurs in the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region (historical province of Khevsureti). In Azerbaijan, it grows in the northeast, and in Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic (Карягин 1954, Takhtajan 1958, Tunckol et al. 2014). It occurs between 750–2,500 m asl.

Sorbus kusnetzovii is absent in Greece, but was reported here in error in the Flora of Turkey (Davis 1972). Old literature also refers to occurrence in Lebanon (Gabrielyan 1978). However, this species is not listed on the official website of the Flora of Lebanon (Lebanon Flora 2020). Taking into account that this species is clearly different from the other species in the genus currently included in the flora of Lebanon, as well as the fact that the herbarium specimen was identified by an expert in the field of plant taxonomy, it is assumed that the species has been lost from Lebanon․

The distribution area of this species is quite large. Despite this, the majority of subpopulations are represented by few, widely dispersed individuals. For Dagestan (Russian Federation), the species is included in the National Red List Book (Абдурахманов 2009, Tamanyan et al. 2010). In Azerbaijan and Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic, it is described as rare (Ibrahimov and Matsyura 2018). In Georgia, this species was previously known from Mingrelia (Samegrello). This subpopulation has not since been found and is considered to have been extirpated. Currently, in Georgia, this species is represented by a very small subpopulation supporting only a few individuals in the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region. There is a relatively higher number of individuals in Armenia. However, for the whole population, it can be said that it is scarce, and it is suspected that the population trend is decreasing. The subpopulation historically documented from Lebanon is suspected to have become extinct in recent decades.

This species is a small tree or tall shrub up to 4–5 m. The species grows in lower to upper mountain zones, mainly on the southern rocky slopes. It occurs in oak forests, sparse woodlands, rocky slopes, and bushes (Gabrielyan 1978).

Subpopulations in Sevan National Park, as well as on Aragats mountain and near Aghveran town, are threatened by expansion of recreational zones. Other subpopulations outside of specially protected areas are affected by overgrazing and trampling (threat for seedlings), expansion of agricultural areas, road and building construction, expansion of recreation (summer houses, hotel and cottage construction), and mining activities. This species may also be collected from the wild for its ornamental value. All subpopulations could be affected by climate change in the future. The locations are situated far from each other and the majority of subpopulations comprise few, widely dispersed individuals, heightening the susceptibility of these subpopulations to threats.

This species is an ornamental plant. It has melliferous flowers and provides food for birds and bears.

In the Russian Federation, one subpopulation is included in the Teberda UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve (Karachay-Cherkess Republic) and another lies within the Caucasus Nature Reserve (Karachay-Cherkess Republic and Krasnodar Krai). In Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic, one subpopulation is included in the Shahbuz State Nature Reserve, and another in the Ordubad National Park. Both of these specially protected areas in Azerbaijan have been established recently, on 16 June 2003 (Allahverdiyev 2019). In Armenia, the species has been recorded from Khosrov Forest State Reserve, Sevan National Park, Lake Arpi National Park and Areviq Specially Protected Area. One subpopulation is partially included in the Eghegis Sanctuary and Jermuk forest Sanctuary of Armenia․ In Dagestan, this species is included in the national Red list Book. In Georgia, the only small subpopulation is located within the borders of Pshav-Khevsureti National Park. Seeds from one subpopulation are stored in the Seed Bank of Armenian Flora. Living collections have been established in the plots of the A. Takhtajyan Institute of Botany, National Academy of Sciences of Armenia (Akopian 2015). The species is held in ten ex situ collections (BGCI 2022).