After graduation he joined the Northern Fleet and served as torpedo officer on the destroyer Okrylenny.

He completed the Higher Special Officer Classes [ru] in 1958 and commanded the destroyers Ostry and Otryvisty of the Northern Fleet.

After completing the Naval Academy in 1961 he commanded a destroyer squadron of the Northern Fleet.

Kapitanets was made first deputy commander of the Soviet Navy and Fleet Admiral in 1988.

In retirement Kapitanets consulted for the Russian Government on naval matters and was a member of the Academy of Military Sciences.