After graduating from the Military Academy of the General Staff, Sukhorukov commanded the Central Group of Forces in November 1976.

From January 1979 to July 1987, he was the commander of the Soviet airborne, overseeing its operations in Afghanistan.

[1] Sukhorukov was born on 2 November 1922 to a peasant family in Bely Kolodez village in Korochansky Uyezd, Kursk Governorate.

In 1958, Sukhorukov graduated from the Frunze Military Academy, after which he commanded the 108th Guards Airborne Regiment.

Sukhorukov was the Transcaucasian Military District's deputy commander from 1974 to 1976, after which he led the Central Group of Forces.