Svetlakov began his junior career at just 16 years old, playing in the
Junior Hockey League (MHL), Russia's top junior league, where he suited up for Krasnaya Armiya. His strong performances in the MHL earned him a call-up to the
Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), and he made his professional debut with
HC CSKA Moscow during the
2015–16 KHL season. Throughout the
2022–23 season, Svetlakov showcased his offensive talents by achieving career-high statistics while playing for CSKA Moscow. On February 23, 2023, the Wild, who held his
NHL rights, traded those rights to the
Boston Bruins. This transaction was part of a complex three-team trade involving the Wild, the Bruins, and the
Washington Capitals. After finishing the
2023–24 season, marking his ninth year in the KHL and winning three
Gagarin Cup titles with CSKA Moscow, Svetlakov departed the team as a free agent. On 7 May 2024, he signed a three-year deal with another KHL club, Traktor Chelyabinsk. ==International play==