[2] In 1973, Tokarev graduated from Karaganda Polytechnic Institute (KarPI) (Russian: Карагандинский политехнический институт (КарПИ)) with a degree in Electrification and Automation of Mining Works.

[7] Between 1996 and 1999 Tokarev worked for the state Presidential Property Management Department where Putin's title was deputy chief in 1996 and 1997.

[3] On 28 February 2022, in relation to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the European Union blacklisted Tokarev and had all his assets frozen.

[13][14][15] On 10 March, the British government imposed sanctions which involved freezing Nikolay's assets and a travel ban.

[22] In 2007, Tokarev's son in law Andrey Bolotov (Russian: Андрей Болотов; born 1973 or 1974) was closely associated with ITERA from 2001 to 2004 and since 2005 has headed the large clients accounts at Vneshtorgbank (VTB).