Zalyotin was born in Tula and attended the Borisoglebsk Higher Military School before becoming a fighter pilot in the Russian Air Force.

In 1994 after tuition by correspondence at the International Center of Training Systems he got a qualification of engineer-ecologist and a degree of Master of ecological management.

In March - May 1999 he passed training as the prime crew commander under PC-28 programme on the Mir Station, however because of the lack of the required financing in June 1999 General Designers' Review adopted a decision to cancel launch of PC-28 for a time and shift flight the Mir Station into the unmanned flight mode.

From April 4 to June 16, 2000, he performed the first space flight as the commander of the Soyuz TM-30 spacecraft and Mir Orbital Complex under PC-28 programme together with A. Kaleri.

This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.