Russian politician, statesman, and public figure. Deputy of the State Duma of the second, third, sixth, seventh, and eighth convocations. Member of the Communist Party. Head of the regional branch of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation in the Astrakhan region since
1997. Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation since 2004.
Public support for Russian military aggression against Ukraine. Nikolai Arefiev is included in the report "1500 warmongers" compiled by the Free Russia Forum. The report contains the names of Russian public figures, military commanders, members of the parliament, propagandists, artists and athletes who have publicly spoken out in support of Putin's aggression or are directly involved in it. The Free Russia Forum is seeking sanctions against them in the European Union.