Bugakov had received numerous achievements in swimming at the peak of his career. In 2005, he captured a total of seven medals, including his silver for the 100 m backstroke, in short course swimming, at the first-ever Asian Indoor Games in Bangkok, Thailand. He also added two medals, including silver for the freestyle relay at the 2006 Asian Swimming Championships in Singapore. At the 2007 FINA World Championships, Bugakov improved his personal best in the 100 m backstroke, by finishing the preliminary heats under one minute, with a time of 58.74 seconds.