In March 1985, he became chief of staff of the Air Force of the Kyiv Military District. In this role, he supervised the initial Chernobyl helicopter cleanup operations. For his actions, Antoshkin was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union. He later commanded the Air Forces of the Central Asian Military District and Moscow Military District. Between 1993 and 1997 Antoshkin led Russian Air Force Frontal Aviation. In 1997 he became head of Air Force combat training and retired a year later. Antoshkin was elected a deputy of the State Duma in 2014. He was affiliated with United Russia.