Пермская губерния
Kuznetsov was born to a working-class family in Ust-Usolka, Solikamsky Uyezd, Perm Governorate. In April 1915 he was drafted into the Imperial Russian Army, taking part in World War I. In March 1916 he completed officer training in Kazan, attaining the rank of a Podporuchik in July.