In a stunning verdict delivered this week, an Angolan court has handed down significant prison sentences to two Russian nationals, Lev Lakshtanov and Igor Ratchin. Convicted of terrorism and spying, these two Angola Russian Spies stand accused of orchestrating a brazen plot to destabilize the southern African nation, including an alleged coup attempt and the incitement of deadly protests over fuel prices last year.
Lakshtanov, receiving an eight-year term, and Ratchin, facing an 11-year sentence, vociferously denied the grave charges. They maintained their presence in Angola was purely for “cultural and business activities,” a claim sharply contrasted by the prosecution’s assertions of their deep involvement in a complex scheme to subvert Angolan sovereignty.
The convictions stem from a period of intense civil unrest in July 2025, when a minibus taxi strike against soaring fuel prices escalated violently. Riots erupted, leading to widespread looting, the tragic deaths of 22 individuals, and over 1,600 arrests, according to official figures. While the Angolan government defended its “progressive” use of force during these tumultuous events, independent observers had previously documented instances of security forces employing “excessive force,” including rubber bullets and teargas, against peaceful demonstrators.
Prosecutors painted a chilling picture of the men’s intentions, alleging their efforts aimed to sway Angola’s upcoming presidential elections. This included suggestions of funding the country’s primary opposition, UNITA, or forcing a leadership shake-up within the ruling MPLA, a party that has governed Angola since its independence from Portugal in 1975. Furthermore, a disturbing connection was drawn to “Africa Politology,” a Russian disinformation and propaganda apparatus reportedly spawned from the notorious Wagner mercenary group.
Following the demise of Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin in 2023, intelligence investigations by outlets like Forbidden Stories indicate that Africa Politology was subsumed by Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR). Wagner itself, a shadow force, underwent a rebranding, emerging as “Africa Corps” and integrated into Russia’s official military structure.
The Expanding Footprint of Angola Russian Spies Across Africa
Angola’s historical ties with Russia are well-documented; the Soviet Union, alongside Cuba, backed the MPLA during Angola’s brutal civil war (1975-2002), while the US and apartheid South Africa supported UNITA. However, President João Lourenço has diligently worked to recalibrate Angola’s international posture since 2017, fostering improved relations with both the United States and European powers.
Despite these shifts, Russia’s overall presence across the African continent has seen a significant surge over the past decade. The Wagner Group, and its successor Africa Corps, have become pivotal security providers for leaders like the Central African Republic’s President Faustin-Archange Touadéra since 2017. Their influence extended to Mali in 2021, bolstering the military junta, and now reportedly underpins regimes in neighboring Niger and Burkina Faso. A recent US Congress report also notes the deployment of Russian troops in Equatorial Guinea, Libya, and Sudan since 2023.
Even Madagascar has witnessed a deepening of ties with Moscow under President Michael Randrianirina, who seized power in an October 2025 coup. Russians reportedly serve in his presidential guard, and national television now airs a weekly program dedicated to Madagascar-Russia relations, underscoring the pervasive nature of this burgeoning influence.
In Angola, the court also heard cases against two Angolan co-defendants. Sports journalist Carlos Tomé received a two-year suspended prison sentence, while Francisco de Oliveira, secretary-general of UNITA’s youth wing, was acquitted. Prosecutors have lodged appeals against these lighter sentences, according to the Portuguese news agency Lusa. Lakshtanov and Ratchin have also appealed their convictions but will remain in custody while their appeals are processed. The Russian embassy in Angola has yet to issue a public statement regarding the sentencing.
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