 While serving aboard the "Kirov" in 1986, Kasatonov took part in the crew rescue operations for the submarine "K-219", which had suffered a fire before sinking in the North Atlantic.In September 1987 he was appointed commander of the "Kirov"s missile division, and in February 1988 he was promoted to the rank of captain-lieutenant, one and a half years ahead of schedule.In September 1988 he was appointed assistant commander of the "Kirov" and in April 1989 participated in the rescue of the crew of the nuclear submarine "Komsomolets", which sank in the Barents Sea after suffering a fire on board.