For the 2005–06 season, Tarasova returned to Russia and so Griazev did as well, training with both Tarasova and Elena Vodorezova in Moscow. Griazev was 9th out of 11 men at the 2005 Skate Canada International. The very next week, however, he won the bronze medal at 2005 Cup of China, his first senior Grand Prix medal. At that competition, he was in the lead after the short program, and earned new personal best scores for his short program, long program, and overall total. At the 2006 Russian nationals, Griazev finished 9th and did not receive a berth to the European Championships and the Olympics. Due to the withdrawal of other skaters, Griazev was sent to 2006 Worlds, where he struggled in the qualifying and short programs, but performed a strong long program. Griazev returned to Russia in March 2006 to take part in the Italian Carnival skating tour produced by Ilia Averbukh. He had also taken part in this tour the previous year. His touring schedule was cut short when he sustained a knee injury and had to undergo surgery.