Alexei Ivanovich Fofanov was born into the family of the famous epic storyteller Ivan Terentyevich Fofanov [ru].[2] In 1934-1936, he studied at the Petrozavodsk Cooperative Technical School and worked as an assistant to the chief accountant of the district consumer union in Pudozh.
In 1937, Fofanov he was drafted into the Red Army and served in the tank forces. In 1939, he graduated from the school for junior commanders. He participated in the Winter War. In 1941, he was accepted as a member of the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks).
From June 1941, on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War, Fofanov participated in defensive battles in Ukraine and in the battle of Moscow, took part in the crossing of the Dnieper, and the Second Battle of Kiev. On 7 November 1943, the tank company under the command of Fofanov command was the first to break into the city of Fastov. During the battle, his tank destroyed five anti-tank guns, four machine guns, and captured three anti-aircraft guns, a T-6 Tiger tank, and three enemy vehicles.
Fofanov was nominated for the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for his skillful command of a company and personal heroism and courage. By the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR "On conferring the title of Hero of the Soviet Union on generals, officers, sergeants and privates of the Red Army" of 10 January 1944, for "exemplary performance of combat missions of the command on the front in the fight against the Nazi invaders and the courage and heroism displayed in doing so," he was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union and the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star medal.[3]
After the war, Fofanov worked in the internal affairs and state security agencies of the Karelo-Finnish Soviet Socialist Republic.
From 1958, Fofanov lived in Kiev. In 1960, he retired with the rank of major.
Alexei Fofanov died on 4 September 1986 in Kiev and was buried at Lesnoye Cemetery.