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Two Russian nationals, Lev Lakshtanov and Igor Ratchin, have been sentenced by an Angolan court to eight and eleven years in prison respectively on charges of terrorism and espionage. These convictions stem from allegations that the duo conspired to instigate a coup and incite violent protests against rising fuel prices in Angola last year. Their defence claimed they were merely in the country for cultural and business purposes.
Court Rulings and Charges
The sentences were handed down following a trial that scrutinised events surrounding a violent minibus taxi strike from 28 to 30 July 2025. This strike escalated into riots, resulting in 22 fatalities and over 1,600 arrests, according to official figures. Witnesses reported that security forces employed live ammunition against demonstrators, a claim the Angolan government defended as a necessary measure amidst chaos. Human Rights Watch has previously condemned the government’s use of excessive force during earlier protests on 12 July 2025, where rubber bullets and tear gas were used against peaceful demonstrators.
Prosecutors argued that Lakshtanov and Ratchin aimed to influence the upcoming presidential elections in Angola, possibly by financing the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), the country’s largest opposition party, or by instigating a leadership upheaval within the ruling Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), which has held power since the country gained independence from Portugal in 1975. Additionally, allegations linked the accused to Africa Politology, a disinformation network associated with the Wagner Group, which has been restructured under Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service following the death of its leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, in 2023.
Historical Context and Geopolitical Implications
Angola’s historical ties with Russia date back to the Cold War when the MPLA received support from the Soviet Union and Cuba, while the United States and apartheid South Africa backed UNITA. However, since President João Lourenço assumed office in 2017, Angola has sought to strengthen its relationships with the United States and European nations.
In recent years, Russia’s influence on the African continent has intensified. The Wagner Group, now rebranded as Africa Corps, has been active in several countries, providing security services and supporting various regimes, including the Central African Republic and Mali. Reports indicate that Russian military presence has expanded to nations such as Equatorial Guinea, Libya, and Sudan. Notably, Madagascar’s president, Michael Randrianirina, has also fostered closer ties with Russia since taking power following a coup in October 2025.
Domestic Reactions and Further Developments
Alongside the Russian defendants, two Angolans were also prosecuted. 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 appealed these verdicts, as have Lakshtanov and Ratchin, who will remain incarcerated during the appeals process.
The Russian embassy in Angola has yet to issue a statement concerning the sentences.
Why it Matters
The convictions of Lakshtanov and Ratchin highlight the increasingly complex interplay of international relations within Angola and the broader African context. As the nation grapples with internal dissent over economic issues, the involvement of foreign nationals in local politics raises significant questions about sovereignty, security, and the influence of international actors. This case serves as a stark reminder of the potential for geopolitical tensions to affect everyday lives, particularly in nations with deep-rooted economic and political crises. The outcome of the appeals could further complicate Angola’s relationship with Russia and impact its domestic stability as it approaches critical elections.