It is located to the north of the prominent crater Tsiolkovskiy, and east-southeast of Dobrovol'skiy.

The crater Lander is attached to the southwest rim of Volkov J, making this a triple-crater formation.

The interior floor of the crater is lumpy, with low hills and a few tiny craterlets.

It is named after Russian–Soviet cosmonaut Vladislav Volkov, who died in Soyuz 11 mission on 30 June 1971 during the vehicle's return to the Earth.

[2] By convention these features are identified on lunar maps by placing the letter on the side of the crater midpoint that is closest to Volkov.