Swindon man appears in court charged with assisting Russian intelligence agency

Joshua Cammidge was remanded in custody for planning sabotage for Russian intelligence

A British man has been remanded in custody after being accused of planning to sabotage a drone factory in Swindon for Russia’s intelligence services, the court has heard.

Joshua Cammidge is alleged to have conducted research on four drone manufacturing sites in Swindon, gathered information on a wifi jamming device, and performed reconnaissance.

He is said to have communicated with an individual believed to be associated with the GRU Volunteer Corps, a group under the control of Russia's intelligence services.

Between 27th March and 5th September this year, Cammidge allegedly provided the individual with Google Maps screenshots of four drone manufacturing facilities in Swindon, detailing activity at one specific factory.

The 31-year-old appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court wearing a prison-issued tracksuit, and has been charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service and with preparing an act of sabotage.

During the hearing, Cammidge did not enter a plea, and the case has been sent to the Old Bailey, scheduled for a hearing on 25th September.

Cammidge, who is a resident of Galsworthy Close, Swindon, was arrested by Counter Terrorism Policing officers in London. Wiltshire Police supported the operation at an address in Swindon.

Further arrest and detention followed under the National Security Act 2023, on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service.

In July, the UK Government enacted the National Security (State Threats) Act 2026, designating the GRU Volunteer Corps, making it criminal to express support for the group.

The GRU has been fully sanctioned by the UK, with hackers linked to the agency being suspected of cyber attacks.

A GRU-affiliated squad has been implicated in the attempted murder of former spy Sergei Skripal in Salisbury.

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