[2] Since his family moved often, he grew up on military bases and studied at eleven different schools, including in Choibalsan and Semipalatinsk, before receiving his secondary education certificate.

Following in his father's footsteps, Tsokov chose a military career and was accepted to the Tashkent Higher Combined Arms Command School.

[3] In November 2010, the Investigative Committee of Russia charged Tsokov with committing fraud and abuse of power during his period in command of the 228th Regiment.

[4][5] This case did not affect his career and in 2011 Tsokov was transferred to serve as chief of staff and deputy commander of the 33rd Separate Motor Rifle Brigade of the 49th Combined Arms Army of the Southern Military District, based at Maykop.

After graduating from its national security and state defense department in June 2021,[10][11] Tsokov was appointed chief of staff of the 2nd Guards Combined Arms Army.

In September 2022, Ukrainian presidential spokesman Oleksii Arestovych claimed that Tsokov was wounded while commanding the 144th Guards Motor Rifle Division.