Rising through the ranks, he saw service during the First Nagorno-Karabakh War, subsequently becoming commander of a paratrooper battalion after the breakup of the Soviet Union.

Astapov went on to serve in senior staff positions in the Southern and Western Military Districts, rising to the rank of lieutenant-general, before becoming a deputy commander of the navy, with responsibility for the coastal troops.

[2] On his return to Russia, he was appointed chief of staff of a paratrooper battalion of the 106th Guards Airborne Division, becoming its commander two and a half years later.

[1] As chief of staff of the Western Military District, Astapov was heavily involved in planning and carrying out the Zapad 2017 exercises.

[9] In February 2019 Astapov was moved from the position of chief of staff of the Western Military District to the post of a deputy commander of the navy, with responsibility for the coastal troops.

[10] It was noted at the time that Astapov had experience from participating in the Russian military intervention in the Syrian Civil War.