Born in 1951 in the city of Taganrog, Rostov Region. In 1974 graduated from the Military Academy named after F.E. Dzerzhinsky as a military radio technician and engineer, and in 1980 from a correspondence post-graduate department of the same Academy. Studied at the Financial Academy of the Government of the Russian Federation and a Business School in London.

1974-1990, did military service at the State Proving Ground (Plesetsk space launching site). Major-General in reserve. Has an honorary distinction "Merited Machine-builder of the RSFSR" and a number of state awards.

1990-1991, Deputy of the Supreme Council of the RSFSR, Deputy Chairman of the RSFSR Supreme Council Commission for Communication, Computer Science and Space; member of the Innovation Council of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the RSFSR. 1991-1993, Deputy Chairman of the RSFSR Supreme Council Committee for Defense and Security. In November 1993, became Chairman of the Committee for Military and Technical Policy of the Defense Ministry of the Russian Federation, and in December - Deputy of the State Duma of the first convocation, then Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Defense.

Since 1995, he was Deputy Head, then Head of the Administrative Department of the Government of the Russian Federation Administration, then Deputy Head of the Administration of the Government of the Russian Federation, Deputy Chairman of the Commission for Military and Industrial Problems of the Government of the Russian Federation.

1999-2000, Deputy of the State Duma, Deputy Chairman of the Deputy Group "Regions of Russia", Member of the Committee for Budget and Taxes, Member of of the State Duma Anticorruption Corruption Commission.

2001-2005, Auditor of the Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation.

On 18 February 2005 the State Duma took a decision on Mr. Piskunov's pre-term dismissal from his position.

On 18 March 2005 he was appointed by the State Duma Chairman of the Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation for the next term.