Pavel Skachevsky was born in Russia in 1989. He was a teenager when he began engaging in far-right extremist ideology alongside his associate Artur Ryno. Growing up during a period of economic instability and political disillusionment in post-Soviet Russia, Skachevsky became part of a subculture of radicalized youth influenced by skinhead and neo-Nazi movements. He and Ryno bonded over their nationalist beliefs and violent tendencies.

The pair were active members in a network of young men who targeted non-Russian ethnic minorities, particularly immigrants from Central Asia and the Caucasus. They formed a gang which was known not only for its brutality but for its deliberate use of social media to circulate videos of their crimes, in an effort to provoke fear and gain infamy.

Despite their young age, Skachevsky and Ryno were seen as the clear leaders of their circle. They wielded influence over other teens and were considered the masterminds behind a coordinated wave of violent assaults. No detailed information has been made public about his family background, education, or any attempts at rehabilitation prior to arrest.

Between 2006 and 2007, Pavel Skachevsky co-led one of Russia’s most disturbing teenage hate groups, now known as the Ryno–Skachevsky gang. The gang specifically targeted immigrants and individuals who appeared to be from ethnic groups originating in Central Asia or the Caucasus region. The attacks were unprovoked, cruel, and often filmed by members of the gang. These videos were later uploaded online as propaganda, showcasing their racist ideology and boasting of their "missions."

The group operated primarily in Moscow and the surrounding areas. Their victims were often unsuspecting laborers, students, or pedestrians of non-Slavic appearance. The violence was brutal as most victims were either stabbed or beaten to death, often in broad daylight or in public spaces.

Skachevsky and Ryno were arrested in April 2007, following the murder of Karen Abramian, an Armenian businessman who was fatally stabbed outside his apartment building. This murder ultimately led investigators to uncover the full extent of the gang's operations.

During the investigation, both Skachevsky and Ryno confessed to 37 murders, although only 20 were verified in court. Ryno was convicted of 19 specific killings; both were minors at the time of their crimes. Due to Russia's juvenile justice system, they were each sentenced in 2008 to the maximum penalty of 10 years of hard labor in a penal colony.