Kazakh climber of Russian descent, with Polish citizenship.
Formerly, an officer in the Kazakh army, a filmmaker.
As the 15th person in history he climbed all eight-thousanders, but did it without the use of supplementary oxygen.
In addition, he has summitted 10 seven-thousand peaks and done 34 solo ascents. In the years 1998-2001 was chosen the best Mountaineer in Kazakhstan, and in 1997 – 1999 won the speed climbing competition on top of Amangelda.
In 1999 within 42 days he summitted all five peaks required to win the Snow Leopard Award.
His climbing partners were, inter alia, Simone Moro, Siergiej Samojłow. He currently lives in Italy.
His greatest achievements include the first winter ascents of eight-thousanders:
Makalu on February 9, 2009 with Simone Moro and Gasherbrum II on February 2, 2011 with Moro and American- Cory Richards.
He took part in the Polish National expedition to K2 in winter 2017/2018.