ANALYSTS have said the arrest of two Russian nationals in Angola on charges of attempting to destabilise Luanda’s democracy could signal a broader pattern of covert operations targeting the continent’s political systems.
Angolan authorities alleged that Lev Lakshtanov (64) and Igor Racthin (38) were involved in “criminal association, falsification of documents, terrorism and terrorist financing” to infiltrate and manipulate political discourse in that country.
They were apprehended in Luanda on August 7, 2025.
The individuals are believed to be linked to a covert Russian network known as Africa Politology, which connects private consultants, operatives and media fronts with the Kremlin’s broader geopolitical agenda.
According to open-source investigations, Lakshtanov and Racthin entered Angola under the guise of tourists.
They then posed as journalists, reportedly engaging with top opposition figures, including Buka Tanda, the leader of the opposition party UNITA.
Tanda allegedly facilitated interviews and allowed the pair to conduct opinion polls on Russia’s image in Angola.
Authorities claim these activities were part of a larger propaganda and influence operation.
Bulawayo-based academic and opposition figure, Samukele Hadebe, said Russia was not new in Africa in general and particularly in Angola.
“Of course, talk has been on Cubans yet Russia, then USSR, was the main backer and funder of both Angola and Cuba, and indeed the liberation forces of SWAPO [South West Africa People’s Organisation] in Namibia and ANC [African National Congress] in South Africa,” Hadebe said.
“But lots changed with the collapse of the USSR, but obviously Russia’s national interests did not change.
“Besides, Russians either through military or intelligence or diplomatic relations have had presence in Angola.
“The end of the USSR changed a number of things with the rise of oligarchs and security-military cartels.
“So with Angola having been a familiar ground, it’s possible both State-sponsored and private interests could be at play in Angola and/or neighbouring countries.”
Political analyst Swithern Chirowodza echoed similar sentiments.
“Russia’s perambulation in Africa is aimed at developing relationships that uphold resource nationalism while also gaining from strategic minerals for example uranium in Burkina Faso,” Chirowodza said.
“Russia’s perambulation in Africa is aimed at developing fraternal and business ties for beneficiation of resources, for example, the promise to build in Zimbabwe a platinum refinery, building civilian nuclear power plants in the Sahel region.”
Journalist Chrispen Tabvura added: “What we are witnessing is a calculated, soft-power campaign, mixed with information warfare and covert influence operations.
“Other African nations must not assume this threat stops at our borders.”
Reports indicate that the two Russian nationals were linked to the Russia State-backed African Initiative media agency and the Africa Corps, the successor to the now-fractured Wagner Group.
These organisations are known for promoting Russian influence through both media campaigns and paramilitary support, often blurring the lines between diplomacy, business and military strategy.
RFI’s Portuguese and English language services were the first to break the story earlier this month.
Their investigation revealed that Lakshtanov once ran an non-governmental organisation called FAROL, a St Petersburg-based organisation focused on Portuguese-speaking countries, with known ties to Russia’s cultural diplomacy agency, Rossotrudnichestvo.
Open-source investigations suggest Lakshtanov and Racthin may have been accompanied by two other Russian operatives, Olga Smirnova and Iurii Dmitriev, who are also being scrutinised by authorities.
All are believed to be part of a network involved in recruiting and training propaganda agents across Africa.