Two Russian nationals have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms in Angola after being found guilty of terrorism and espionage. The convictions of Lev Lakshtanov and Igor Ratchin come in the wake of their alleged involvement in a plot to orchestrate a coup and incite violent protests against rising fuel prices in the southern African nation.
Sentencing Details
At a court hearing in August 2025, Lakshtanov was handed an eight-year sentence, while Ratchin received 11 years. Both men denied the accusations, asserting that their presence in Angola was related to cultural and business pursuits. However, the Angolan judiciary determined that their actions posed a significant threat to national security.
The unrest that prompted the charges began between July 28 and July 30, 2025, when a strike by minibus taxi drivers protesting fuel price increases escalated into riots. Official reports indicate that 22 lives were lost, and over 1,600 individuals were detained during these disturbances. Eyewitnesses and human rights organisations have accused Angolan security forces of employing excessive force, including live ammunition, against protesters, prompting a controversial justification from the government citing a “progressive” use of force.
Allegations of Foreign Interference
Prosecutors have suggested that Lakshtanov and Ratchin aimed to sway the upcoming presidential elections by financially supporting the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), the country’s largest opposition party. Additionally, they were purportedly involved in efforts to destabilise the ruling Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), which has held power since Angola’s independence from Portugal in 1975.
The prosecution linked the defendants to Africa Politology, a Russian disinformation and propaganda network that has ties to the now-defunct Wagner Group. Following the death of Wagner’s leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, in 2023, Africa Politology was reportedly taken over by Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) and rebranded as Africa Corps.
Angola’s Political Landscape
Angola’s historical ties with Russia date back to the Cold War when the Soviet Union supported the MPLA during the country’s civil conflict from 1975 to 2002. However, since President João Lourenço assumed office in 2017, Angola has sought to strengthen its relations with the US and European nations, a pivot that contrasts with Russia’s increasing assertiveness in Africa.
In recent years, Russia has expanded its influence across the continent, with Wagner Group operatives deployed to support various regimes, notably in the Central African Republic, Mali, and now in neighbouring countries like Niger and Burkina Faso. This geopolitical shift has raised concerns about the implications for stability and governance in Africa.
Local Repercussions
In addition to the Russian defendants, two Angolan citizens were also implicated in the case. Sports journalist Carlos Tomé received a two-year suspended sentence, while Francisco de Oliveira, the secretary-general of UNITA’s youth wing, was acquitted. The prosecution has lodged appeals against these sentences, and both Lakshtanov and Ratchin remain incarcerated as they pursue their appeals.
The Russian embassy in Angola has yet to issue a formal response regarding the verdicts.
Why it Matters
The convictions of Lakshtanov and Ratchin highlight not only the fragility of Angola’s political landscape but also the broader implications of foreign influence in African nations. As Russia’s presence in Africa grows, the potential for increased instability and conflict rises, particularly in a region already grappling with economic challenges and governance issues. The outcomes of these legal proceedings could have lasting effects on Angola’s political dynamics and its relationships with both Russia and Western nations, underscoring the delicate balance that countries in Africa must navigate in an increasingly multipolar world.