Man in court over Russian plot against drone firm
Joshua Cammidge allegedly communicated with someone believed to be linked to Russian intelligence.
**Man in court over Russian plot against drone firm**
A man was ready to "sabotage" a UK drone factory on behalf of Russia's intelligence services, a court has heard.
Joshua Cammidge, from Swindon in Wiltshire, is said to have researched four drone manufacturing sites in the town and carried out reconnaissance.
The 31-year-old is accused of assisting a foreign intelligence service and of intending to commit or take part in conduct to prepare an act of sabotage. It is alleged that he was in contact with someone believed to be connected to the GRU Volunteer Corps, a group controlled by Russia's intelligence services.
Cammidge, of Galsworthy Close, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court and was remanded in custody. He entered no plea.
Cammidge was arrested by Counter Terrorism Policing London officers, with support from officers from Wiltshire Police, at an address in Swindon on 4 September.
He was taken to a London police station while searches were carried out at another address in Swindon.
On 5 September, Cammidge was detained under the National Security Act 2023 on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service.
The charges against him say that, between 27 March and 5 September this year, he supplied Google Maps screenshots showing the addresses of four drone manufacturing sites in Swindon and provided details about activity at one particular factory.
Cammidge is due to appear at the Old Bailey on 25 September.
In July, the government formally designated the GRU Volunteer Corps under the National Security (State Threats) Act 2026, external, making it a criminal offence to express support for the group.
The group is sanctioned in its entirety by the UK, and hackers linked to the agency have been blamed for cyber attacks in Britain.
A GRU unit is also believed to have been behind the attempted murder of former spy Sergei Skripal in Salisbury.