Two Russian citizens, Lev Lakshtanov and Igor Ratchin, have been sentenced to significant prison terms in Angola after being convicted of terrorism and espionage. The pair were accused of orchestrating a coup and inciting violent protests against rising fuel prices in the southern African nation last year. Lakshtanov received an eight-year sentence, while Ratchin was handed an 11-year term.
Charges and Court Proceedings
The Angolan court’s decision follows a tumultuous period in July 2025, when a minibus taxi strike over escalating fuel prices spiralled into chaos, resulting in 22 fatalities and over 1,600 arrests. Government forces faced allegations of using live ammunition against demonstrators, while critics, including Human Rights Watch, condemned the state’s excessive use of force during a peaceful protest just days prior to the unrest.
Both Lakshtanov and Ratchin denied the charges, asserting that their presence in Angola was purely for cultural and business engagements. However, prosecutors claimed they aimed to destabilise the country ahead of the 2026 presidential elections, potentially by financially supporting the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), the main opposition party, or by instigating a leadership shift within the ruling Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA).
Connections to Russian Disinformation Networks
The prosecution linked the accused to Africa Politology, a Russian propaganda network that has ties to the Wagner Group, a controversial private military company. Following the death of Wagner’s leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, in 2023, the group was restructured into Africa Corps and absorbed by Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR). This connection underscores the broader geopolitical implications of the case, as Angola has historically maintained close ties with Russia since the Cold War, when the Soviet Union supported the MPLA during the civil war.
In recent years, Russia has been expanding its influence across Africa, providing military support to various regimes, such as in the Central African Republic and Mali. Angola’s current president, João Lourenço, has sought to balance this relationship by strengthening ties with the United States and European nations since he assumed office in 2017.
Broader Political Context
The conviction of Lakshtanov and Ratchin resonates within a larger narrative of growing Russian involvement in Africa. Countries like Mali and Burkina Faso have seen increased Russian military presence amid political upheaval, while Madagascar’s leadership has also sought closer relations with Moscow following a coup in late 2025.
In conjunction with the Russian defendants, two Angolans faced trial as well. Sports journalist Carlos Tomé received a two-year suspended sentence, while Francisco de Oliveira, UNITA’s youth wing secretary-general, was acquitted. Prosecutors have since appealed these rulings, while both Russian men are expected to remain in detention pending their own appeals.
Why it Matters
This case highlights the intersection of domestic unrest and international geopolitics in Angola, reflecting the complexities of foreign influence in African politics. As Angola navigates its historical ties with Russia while engaging with Western powers, the sentencing of Lakshtanov and Ratchin serves as a stark reminder of the potential for external actors to disrupt fragile political landscapes. The implications of this trial could reverberate beyond Angola, affecting perceptions of Russian involvement in Africa and the broader dynamics of international relations on the continent.
