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In a significant ruling, an Angolan court has sentenced two Russian nationals to lengthy prison terms for their involvement in a purported plot to destabilise the nation. Lev Lakshtanov and Igor Ratchin were convicted of terrorism and espionage, accused of orchestrating a coup and inciting violent protests against escalating fuel prices in 2025. Lakshtanov received an eight-year sentence, while Ratchin was handed an eleven-year term, despite their claims that they were merely in Angola for cultural and business purposes.
Violent Protests and Coups: A Deadly Mix
The backdrop of this trial is a tumultuous period in Angola, marked by civil unrest and public outcry over soaring fuel costs. From July 28 to 30, 2025, a minibus taxi strike spiralled into chaos, resulting in 22 fatalities and over 1,600 arrests. Eyewitnesses reported that security forces used live ammunition against demonstrators, a move the government justified as a necessary measure to maintain order. Human Rights Watch condemned these actions as excessive, particularly highlighting the use of rubber bullets and tear gas against peaceful protesters earlier that same month.
Prosecutors alleged that Lakshtanov and Ratchin intended to sway the political landscape ahead of Angola’s upcoming presidential elections. Their plan purportedly involved financing the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), the country’s largest opposition party, or instigating a leadership upheaval within the ruling Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), which has held power since Angola’s independence from Portugal in 1975.
Links to Russian Propaganda Networks
Disturbingly, the court also heard claims that the two men were connected to Africa Politology, a Russian disinformation outfit that emerged from the infamous Wagner mercenary group. Following the death of Wagner’s leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, in 2023, Africa Politology was reportedly absorbed by Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), rebranding itself as Africa Corps. This transformation has raised alarm bells about Russia’s growing influence in Africa, particularly in light of its military involvement in various nations across the continent, including the Central African Republic, Mali, and Libya.
Historical ties between Angola and Russia date back to the Cold War, when both nations were embroiled in the civil conflict that lasted from 1975 to 2002. The MPLA received substantial support from the Soviet Union and Cuba, while the US and apartheid South Africa backed its rivals, including UNITA. However, recent years have seen Angola’s President João Lourenço pivot towards strengthening relations with the West, particularly the United States and Europe.
Local Reactions and Ongoing Appeals
The trial also included two Angolan nationals: sports journalist Carlos Tomé, who received a two-year suspended sentence, and Francisco de Oliveira, the secretary-general of UNITA’s youth wing, who was acquitted. The Angolan prosecutors have already appealed against these sentences, while Lakshtanov and Ratchin have lodged their own appeals against their convictions. Both men will remain incarcerated during the appeal process, as reported by the Portuguese news agency Lusa.
The Russian embassy in Angola has yet to issue a statement regarding the verdict, leaving many questions about the implications of this ruling and its potential impact on Angola’s diplomatic relations with Moscow.
Why it Matters
The sentencing of Lakshtanov and Ratchin highlights the fragility of political stability in Angola, a nation grappling with economic hardship and social unrest. As tensions rise over fuel prices and political discontent simmers beneath the surface, this case underscores the pervasive threat of foreign interference in domestic affairs. The geopolitical ramifications could be profound, potentially influencing Angola’s alliances and shaping the landscape of power in Southern Africa. As Angola navigates its complex relationships with both Russia and Western powers, the outcome of this saga may reverberate far beyond its borders.