He rose to the rank of lieutenant general and made a significant contribution to Soviet military and political operations.
Early Years and Career He was born on October 19 (31), 1899, into a working-class family in the village of Lugovka (now in the Chernsky District of the Tula Region).
He joined the Russian Communist Party (Bolsheviks) in 1918 and started his service in the Red Army in August 1922.
Post-War Career After the war, from September 1945, Leonov continued serving in the Far Eastern Military District.
On July 8, 1953, he was transferred to the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) of the USSR, where he became a member of the Board and Head of the 3rd Directorate (Counterintelligence in the Soviet Army and Navy).