During the late 1930s Smirnov served as an instructor at military schools, and after the beginning of Operation Barbarossa became commander of the 380th Rifle Division in October 1941.

Transferring to command the 6th Guards Airborne Division in early 1943, Smirnov led the latter for the rest of the war and the immediate postwar period.

He was drafted into the Red Army in May 1919 during the Russian Civil War by the Danilovsky Uyezd military commissariat and sent to the Kostroma Infantry Command Courses.

From February to June 1936 he studied at the Vystrel courses in Bronnitsy, graduating with honors and returning to his previous position with the regiment.

In September 1939, Smirnov, now a major, was appointed assistant head for training and drill units of the Sverdlovsk Infantry School in the Ural Military District.

Relocated to the Kalinin Front in the Nelidovo area during January, the division joined the 22nd Army, fighting with the latter in the Sychyovka–Vyazma Offensive from 21 February 1942.

[1] After the 380th departed for the 1st Shock Army of the Northwestern Front, fighting southwest of Demyansk on 31 December, Smirnov transferred to command the 6th Guards Airborne Division in March 1943, which he led for the rest of the war.

He led the 6th Guards Airborne in the failed Staraya Russa Offensive, after which it was withdrawn to the Reserve of the Supreme High Command (RVGK) in April.

For his "constant and skillful leadership" of the division in the initial stages of the latter, Smirnov received the Order of the Red Banner on 5 September.

Upon graduation in 1950, Smirnov was appointed head of the Saratov Suvorov Military School, his final post before retirement in August 1954.