Born on October 8, 1956, in Zhetiqara, Kazakhstan. 

1979: graduated from Petrozavodsk Kuusinen State University with a degree in Economics.

1979-1981: physics teacher in Nadvoitsy, Karelia.

1981: started service in the State Security Committee (KGB) of the Karelian ASSR and climbed from a detective officer in the Kalevala District and Kostomuksha to Head of the Medvezhyegorsk Region KGB department and Head of the Anti-Terrorism Department of the Republic of Karelia.

1995: transferred to the central staff of the Federal Counter-Intelligence Service (later renamed the Federal Security Service), where he held the posts of Chief Inspector at the Administrative Inspection Department and Section Head in the Internal Security Department.

1998-1999: Section Head at the Main Control Department of the Russian President.

1999: Head of the Smuggling and Drug Enforcement Directorate at the Economic Security Department, Deputy FSB Director - Head of the Inspection Department.

2002: First Deputy Minister of the Interior.

March 9, 2004: appointed Minister of the Interior.

Holds the Order of Honour.

Married, with two children.