Pavlenko started his career at the age of 14 in the youth academy of Dynamo Moscow before moving on to Academica Moscow and then the youth squad of FC Lausanne-Sport in Switzerland.

In 2001, at the age of 16, he signed with Spartak Moscow and made his first team debut the same year.

In 2002, he became a first team regular gaining his first opportunity to play in the UEFA Champions League.

He lost his regular place in the lineup in 2005 after injuries limited his playing time and consequently was loaned to Shinnik in 2007.

However in July Pavlenko was hospitalized with unspecified bladder problem.