He became Minister of Aviation Industry between 1940 and 1946, and played an important role in the reorganisation of the Soviet Air Force during World War II.

Since the beginning of 1939, intensive work has therefore been carried out to develop new, more modern types of aircraft, new design offices were opened and new plants were built.

Thanks to these measures, the Soviet Union had already begun testing and introducing new models when the war against the German Reich began.

In 1946, Shakhurin was dismissed from his post on charges that inferior aircraft had been produced during his term and was sentenced to seven years in prison.

After Stalin's death in 1953, he was rehabilitated from all charges in 1953 and reinstated as Deputy Minister for the Aviation Industry in August of the same year.