Zatynaiko started his military career in the Group of Soviet Forces in Germany in 1970 after graduating the Kyiv Higher Combined Arms College.

[1] In 1993 Zatynaiko graduated from the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia.

[1] In 1998 the President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma placed Zatynaiko in charge of the Southern Operational Command which was perceived as a demotion.

[2] However Minister of Defence of Ukraine Oleksandr Kuzmuk explained that it is in no way related to miscalculations in development of the Army as Southern Operational Command is the most important in a sphere of responsibility.

Біла книга) with a deep analysis of armament and technology status of the Ukrainian military.