In a significant ruling, an Angolan court has convicted two Russian nationals, Lev Lakshtanov and Igor Ratchin, on charges of terrorism and espionage. The court sentenced Lakshtanov to eight years in prison, while Ratchin received an 11-year term for their alleged involvement in a plot to overthrow the Angolan government and incite violent protests over fuel price hikes that erupted last year.
Allegations of Coup Plotting
The accusations against Lakshtanov and Ratchin centre around claims that they were orchestrating a coup and facilitating protests that turned deadly during a taxi strike from July 28 to 30, 2025. The unrest resulted in the tragic loss of 22 lives and over 1,600 arrests, as protesters took to the streets to voice their discontent over soaring fuel costs. While the Angolan government defended its use of force against demonstrators as necessary, international watchdogs, including Human Rights Watch, condemned the authorities for deploying excessive measures, including live ammunition and tear gas against peaceful protesters.
The Angolan prosecutor’s office contended that the Russian men sought to disrupt the political landscape ahead of the upcoming presidential elections by supporting the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), the country’s principal opposition party, or by instigating a leadership change within the ruling Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA).
Links to Russian Disinformation Networks
Further complicating the case, prosecutors alleged that Lakshtanov and Ratchin were associated with Africa Politology, a Russian propaganda network that emerged from the now-dismantled Wagner Group. Following the death of Wagner’s leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, in 2023, Africa Politology was reportedly integrated into Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), which has been increasingly active in Africa.
Angola has a historical relationship with Russia, dating back to the Cold War when the MPLA received support from the Soviet Union. However, since João Lourenço assumed the presidency in 2017, Angola has shifted its foreign policy to strengthen ties with the United States and Europe, while still maintaining a connection with Moscow.
Broader Implications for Angola and Russia
The conviction of Lakshtanov and Ratchin comes amid a backdrop of increasing Russian influence across Africa. The Wagner Group, rebranded as Africa Corps, has been involved in various military engagements on the continent, notably in the Central African Republic, Mali, and now Equatorial Guinea. The trend indicates a strategic attempt by Russia to expand its geopolitical footprint in Africa, often in partnership with military regimes and authoritarian governments.
In the courtroom, two Angolan nationals were also tried alongside the Russians. Sports journalist Carlos Tomé received a two-year suspended sentence, while Francisco de Oliveira, the youth leader of UNITA, was acquitted. The prosecution has expressed intentions to appeal these decisions, as have the Russian defendants, who remain in custody during the appeals process.
Why it Matters
The sentencing of Lakshtanov and Ratchin marks a pivotal moment in Angola’s political landscape, highlighting the tensions surrounding governance, foreign intervention, and human rights within the country. As Angola prepares for its forthcoming elections, the case underscores the fragile balance of power and the potential for external influences to disrupt domestic stability. The ruling could not only impact future relations between Angola and Russia but also send a message about the limits of foreign involvement in national politics, especially at a time when authoritarian regimes are increasingly seeking alliances to bolster their control.
