In a dramatic courtroom development shaking the southern African nation, an Angolan court has delivered a stunning verdict: two Russian individuals, Lev Lakshtanov and Igor Ratchin, have been found guilty on grave charges of terrorism and spying. The duo, accused of masterminding a coup and instigating deadly protests over fuel prices last year, now face substantial prison terms, casting a stark light on the intricate web of international intrigue in the region. This conviction of Russian spies Angola marks a significant moment in the country’s recent history.
Lakshtanov and Ratchin, who steadfastly denied the accusations, insisted their presence in Angola was purely for “cultural and business activities.” Despite their protestations, the court handed down sentences of eight and eleven years respectively. Prosecutors had painted a picture of calculated interference, alleging the men sought to manipulate Angola’s upcoming presidential elections. This included claims of financially backing the leading opposition party, UNITA, or orchestrating a leadership change within the ruling MPLA, which has governed Angola since its 1975 independence from Portugal.
The convictions follow a tumultuous period in July 2025, when a taxi strike escalated into widespread riots and looting across Angola. Official figures reported a tragic toll of 22 fatalities and over 1,600 arrests. While Angolan security forces faced accusations of using live ammunition against demonstrators, the government maintained its “progressive” use of force was justifiable. Earlier, in July 2025, human rights groups had already condemned what they described as “excessive force” by police against peaceful fuel price protesters, deploying rubber bullets and teargas. For more details on these events, see reports from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The Network Behind Russian Spies Angola
Further deepening the narrative, prosecutors asserted that Lakshtanov and Ratchin were intimately connected to Africa Politology, a Russian disinformation and propaganda apparatus. This network, investigators claim, originated from the notorious Wagner mercenary group. Following the death of Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin in 2023, Africa Politology was reportedly absorbed and repurposed by Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), with Wagner itself rebranded as Africa Corps and brought under the direct control of Russia’s military establishment.
Indeed, Russia’s footprint across the African continent has notably expanded over the past decade. The Wagner group, and subsequently Africa Corps, has been instrumental in providing security for leaders like the Central African Republic’s President Faustin-Archange Touadéra since 2017. Their influence extends to supporting military juntas in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. Moreover, Russian troops have been deployed in Equatorial Guinea, Libya, and Sudan since 2023, according to a recent US Congress report. Even Madagascar’s President Michael Randrianirina has bolstered ties with Russia since his 2025 coup, with Russian personnel reportedly integrated into his presidential guard.
Historically, Angola and Russia shared close ties, especially during the Cold War when the Soviet Union supported the MPLA during Angola’s civil war. However, under President João Lourenço, who took office in 2017, Angola has actively sought to improve relations with the United States and Europe, signaling a potential shift in its geopolitical alignment. The presence and activities of these Russian spies Angola, therefore, come at a particularly sensitive juncture.
In a parallel trial, two Angolan citizens faced charges alongside the Russians. Sports journalist Carlos Tomé received a two-year suspended sentence, while Francisco de Oliveira, secretary-general of UNITA’s youth wing, was acquitted. Prosecutors have lodged appeals against these lighter sentences, according to Portuguese news agency Lusa. Both Lakshtanov and Ratchin have also appealed their convictions, yet they will remain incarcerated as the legal process unfolds. Attempts to solicit comment from Russia’s embassy in Angola have thus far gone unanswered.
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