Born February 25, 1937 in the village Dudkino Khotynetsky region Orel region in the family collective farmer, Russian.
In 1960 he graduated from the Institute Michurinsky horticultural specialty "agronomist, horticulturist". Doctor of Economic Sciences.
. In 1954 began working on the farm shepherd "Progress" Khotynetsky area in 1956 - 57 he worked on the farm "Progress" the foreman, in 1958 - 63 - chief production site, an agronomist.
. Since 1963 - the professional party work.
. In 1967 - 69 concurrently studied at the Academy of Social Sciences under the CPSU Central Committee.
. From 1985 to September 1989 was the first secretary of the Orel Regional Committee of the CPSU.
. A deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.
. Since October 1991 - Director of the All-Russia Research Institute for plant breeding of fruit crops and Head of the Laboratory of Economics and Management.
. April 11, 1993 elected the head of administration of the Oryol region.
. 12 December 1993 was elected to the Federation Council.
. Since January 1996 - Member of the Federation Council's position
. January 23, 1996 elected President of the Federation Council.
. Since 1996 - deputy chairman of the Supervisory Board of the All-Russia development bank regions.
. In the spring of 1996 - Chairman of the Interparliamentary Assembly (IPA) of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
. October 26, 1997 won the gubernatorial elections in the Oryol region.
. Since September 1998 participated in the work of the Presidium of the RF Government.
. December 20, 1998 became a member of the Higher Attestation Commission of the Ministry of Education of Russia.
. From April 1999 - Member of Russia's Security Council.
. Corresponding Member of the Russia Academy of Agricultural Sciences, member of the Academy of quality, the professor.
. He was awarded orders and medals.
. Military rank - a retired colonel.
. Hobbies - historical and philosophical literature, a game of billiards.
. Married
. Wife Nina Semenovna - a teacher of literature. A married daughter, Marina graduated from the Institute of Foreign Languages. Has a grandson.