Soviet Air Defence Forces
Safronov was born on 25 March 1930 in Gus-Khrustalny and graduated from the town's School No. 1 (later School No. 12) in 1948. He joined the Soviet Air Forces and graduated from the Borisoglebsk Military Aviation School of Pilots, serving with the 764th Fighter Aviation Regiment of the Soviet Air Defence Forces at Bolshoye Savino Airport from 1952.