In 1912, sent to relatives in Saint Petersburg, he worked as a messenger boy in a dairy shop, and later in the factories of the city. Katukov participated in the October Revolution in 1917, after which he returned to Bolshoe Uvaravo to take care of his family after his mother's death.
In 1912, Katukov was dispatched to relatives in Saint Petersburg where he served as a messenger boy at a dairy shop and later worked in the city’s factories. After participating in the October Revolution of 1917, he returned to Bolshoe Uvaravo to look after his family following his mother's death.