Angola Jails Two Russians for Spying in a First for the Region

An Angolan court sentenced Russian political consultant Igor Ratchin to 11 years and translator Lev Lakshtanov to 8 years for terrorism and spying. Prosecutors linked both to a Russian covert influence network taken over by Russia's foreign intelligence service after the death of Wagner mercenary leader Prigozhin in 2023. It is the first such trial in Africa. Both men denied the charges.