V. Bulavin was born in Lipetsk Region on February 11, 1953.

In 1975 he graduated from Moscow Institute of Railroad Transport Engineers (currently, Moscow State University of Railway Engineering), in 1979 he graduated from the Higher School of the KGB of the USSR (currently, Academy of the Federal Security Service of the RF).
In 1975-1977 he worked as a constructor engineer at Pavlovsk-based engineering plant “Voskhod”.
Starting from 1977, he was employed by state security bodies.
Starting from 1979, he served in KGB Administration, Office of the Ministry of Security - Administration of the Federal Counterintelligence Service - Administration of the Federal Security Service (UMB-UFSK-UFSB of the RF) in Nizhny Novgorod Region.
From 1992 through 2006 he held the post of the head of the UMB-UFSK-UFSB of the RF in Nizhny Novgorod Region.
In 2001 he became the Chair of the Council of FSS Bodies Heads in Volga Federal District.
In 2006 he became Deputy Director of the FSB of Russia - Head of the Administration of the National Anti-Terrorist Committee.
In 2008 he was appointed Senior Deputy Secretary of the RF Security Council.
In 2013 he became a standing representative of the President in the Northwestern Federal District.
On July 28, 2016 he was appointed the Head of the Federal Customs Service.
V. Bulavin was awarded the orders “For Merit to the Fatherland” of the III and the IV degree, “For War Services”, decorations “Honorary Officer of Counterintelligence Service”, “For Service in Counterintelligence” of the 2nd degree, medals of the USSR and Russian Federation.
V. Bulavin is a Candidate of Legal Science, the distinguished officer of the security bodies of the Russian Federation.
V. Bulavin is married and has two children.