A British national, 31-year-old Joshua Cammidge, has been remanded in custody after being accused of preparing to sabotage a drone factory in the United Kingdom on behalf of Russia's intelligence services. Cammidge faces charges of assisting a foreign intelligence service and intending to commit or engage in conduct to prepare an act of sabotage.
During a hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday, Cammidge did not enter a plea. The case has been transferred to the Old Bailey for a hearing scheduled for September 25.
According to court proceedings, Cammidge allegedly researched four drone manufacturing sites located in Swindon. He also is said to have investigated a Wi-Fi jamming device and conducted reconnaissance of the sites. Investigators believe Cammidge received instructions from an individual connected to the GRU Volunteer Corps, a group reportedly under the control of Russia's intelligence services.
The charges specify that between March 27 and September 5 of this year, Cammidge supplied Google Maps screenshots identifying the addresses of four drone manufacturing facilities in Swindon. He also allegedly provided information regarding activity at one of these factories.
Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) London officers, with support from Wiltshire Police, arrested Cammidge last Friday at an address in Swindon. He was taken to a London police station, and searches were conducted at a separate address in Swindon. On Saturday, Cammidge was further arrested and detained under the National Security Act on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service.
In July, the British government formally designated the GRU Volunteer Corps under the National Security (State Threats) Act 2026, making it a criminal offense to express support for the group. The GRU itself is subject to comprehensive sanctions by the UK, and hackers associated with the agency have been implicated in cyber attacks against Britain. A GRU unit is also believed to be responsible for the attempted assassination of former spy Sergei Skripal in Salisbury.