In May 2001, he moved to position of the First Deputy Commander of the Siberian Military District, and later became commander. He transferred to the position of the Commander of the North Caucasus Military District in December 2002. He was promoted to the rank of General of the Army in December 2003.
In July 2004, he assumed position of the Commander of the Volga-Urals Military District, which was his third Military District commander position. He served at this position until he became Commander-in-Chief of the Ground Forces in August 2008. In 2010 he was discharged due to age limit.