"According to Wikipedia, served over 30 years in the army.

He worked in military publications, 1971 – 1976, the LENINSKIY FLAG newspaper (Lenin’s Flag), the Southern Army Group (Budapest, Hungary) 1979 – 1989, ZNAMENOSETS magazine (Color Bearer), (mouthpiece of the Ministry of Defense of the USSR) 1989 – 1999, IZVESTIYA newspaper 1999 – 2002, OBSCHAYA GAZETA newspaper 2002 – 2007, RIA NOVOSTI April 2007, deputy editor-in-chief of INDEPENENT MILITARY REVIEW newspaper February 2009, editor-in-chief of INDEPENENT MILITARY REVIEW newspaper February – August 2014, head of ITAR TASS Military Information editorial office Since September 0214, commentator of one of the ITAR – TASS editorial offices."