[1][2] Vasily Afanasyevich Glazunov was born on 1 January 1896 in Varvarovka village, Serdobsky Uyezd, Saratov Governorate in the Russian Empire, to a family of peasants.

[1] In August 1915, Glazunov joined the Imperial Russian Army[6] and became a private in the 135th Reserve Battalion in Balashov.

In February 1916, he became a squad leader in the 198th Alexander Nevsky Infantry Regiment, fighting on the Southwestern Front.

In July 1921, he became the assistant commander of the 14th Turkestan Rifle Regiment, fighting against the Basmachi movement.

In January and February 1942, Glazunov planned and conducted the Vyazma Airborne Operation during the Rzhev-Vyazma Offensive.

[3] During January and February 1944, the corps broke through German fortifications near the village of Novonikolayevka, expanding the Nikopol bridgehead and capturing 96 settlements.

On 19 March, Glazunov was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union and the Order of Lenin for his leadership during the Nikopol-Krivoi Rog Offensive.

[18] During the Vistula–Oder Offensive, the corps crossed the Vistula and captured a number of settlements, for which it was awarded the title 'Brandenburg'.

On 6 April 1945, Glazunov was awarded a second Hero of the Soviet Union and the Order of Lenin for his actions in holding the Magnushev bridgehead during the Lublin–Brest Offensive.

[19] During the Berlin Offensive, the corps took part in the breakthrough in the Battle of the Seelow Heights and crossed the Spree.

In January 1946, he was appointed commander of the 125th Rifle Corps, and in June the inspector general of the Airborne Forces.