He was educated in the Saratov Classical Gymnasium and the Kazan Infantry Junker School.

On 19 April 1878 for the distinction near Kars, he was awarded the Order of St. George 4th degree: "In retribution for the difference made in the case with the Turks near Kars, on 24 October 1877, when taking the fortification of Hafiz-Pasha-Tabiya, where, commanding the company, the first rushed to the fortification bastion, carried the soldiers behind him and, despite the stubborn resistance of the Turks, knocked them out from the bastion and took possession of the instrument."

In 1903, Viktor Pavlovich Zykov was promoted to major general with the appointment of the commander of the 2nd brigade of the 9th East Siberian Rifle Division; in this position, he took part in the war with Japan and for distinction was awarded the Order of St. Stanislav 1st degree with swords.

In the Civil War he took part on the side of the Whites, but was captured by the Red Army.

The last reliable mention of Zykov dates back to 1923: it is known that he was listed in the Red Army and was in Moscow for military teaching.