In 1971 he graduated from Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design with the specialty of chemical engineer.

In the summer of 1991, Colonel V. Radchenko was returned to active service and in July of the year became the deputy head of the KGB directorate in the Rivne Oblast, promoted to major general.

From January 1992 he was the chief of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) regional directorate in Ternopil Oblast.

Since March 1994 he was the deputy head of the SBU and chief of Directorate for Combating Corruption and Organized Crime, promoted to lieutenant general.

After the Cassette Scandal, President Kuchma again selected Radchenko to be the Head of the Security Service of Ukraine, for the second time.

In May 2004, V. Radchenko was in the center of attention due to the "cassette scandal:" a Ukrainian businessman accused him and several others in knowing that the cabinet of the President was being recorded.