Royal Navy Sailor Faces New Charges in Alleged Plot to Leak Secrets to Russia
A 24-year-old sailor accused of attempting to provide classified defense information to Russia faces additional charges, including misconduct in public office.
A Royal Navy sailor, Teddy Young, 24, has been presented with fresh charges as part of an ongoing investigation into allegations that he attempted to leak classified military secrets to Russia. Young, who allegedly abused his high-level security clearance to access sensitive defense and intelligence data while serving on a Navy vessel, now faces charges including misconduct in a public office and violating the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act.
Young allegedly drafted a message in Russian containing classified information and made attempts to contact Russian authorities via the dark web. He joined the Navy in April 2024 and is accused of beginning his alleged offenses on his first deployment in November 2024. At the time of the alleged incidents, he was serving as a warfare intelligence rating with extensive security clearance and access to intelligence systems.
British national Young was initially arrested on May 21, 2025, and subsequently rearrested at his home in Bedfordshire on October 6. He appeared at the Old Bailey via videolink from Belmarsh prison for a preliminary hearing.
Prosecutors stated that the allegations stem from Young's duties within the Royal Navy, noting his particular interest in Russian military service. Evidence suggests he accessed and retained sensitive intelligence information without authorization, intending to share it with a foreign power. He has been further charged with misconduct in public office for allegedly sending classified information to personal email accounts, WhatsApp, and Discord, and for retaining classified data on personal devices.
Commander Helen Flanagan, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, described the charges as serious and emphasized the close collaboration with the Ministry of Defence to mitigate potential security risks. She urged the public to avoid further speculation to allow the legal process to proceed without impediment.
Young was remanded into custody. A plea hearing is scheduled for March 12, with a provisional eight-week trial set to begin on October 8 at The Old Bailey, to be presided over by a High Court judge.