Drafted into the Imperial Russian Army in January 1916, Skulachenko graduated from a training detachment and became a senior "uniter-ofitser" in the 1st Anti-Aircraft Auto Company, fighting in the Caucasus campaign, and was wounded in action in 1917. Joining the Communist Party that year, Skulachenko distributed Bolshevik leaflets after the February Revolution. He served as chief of a truck platoon of the 1st Reserve Auto Company in Petrograd from 6 August of that year. In September, Skulachenko became commander of the 3rd Armored Car Detachment, and was wounded during the October Revolution. His unit guarded the Smolny Institute in October.