British man 'prepared to sabotage UK drone factory for Russia', court hears

A British man was preparing to sabotage a UK drone factory on behalf of Russia, a court has heard.

Joshua Cammidge, 31, allegedly researched four drone manufacturing sites in Swindon along with a Wi-Fi jamming device, and carried out reconnaissance.

He was charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service and intending to commit or engage in conduct to prepare an act of sabotage.

Cammidge, of Galsworthy Close, Swindon, allegedly communicated with and received instructions from an individual believed to be linked to the GRU Volunteer Corps, a group controlled by Russia's intelligence services.

The charge states that between 27 March and 5 September this year, Cammidge provided the individual with Google Maps screenshots showing the addresses of four drone manufacturing sites in Swindon, and gave details on the activity at one particular factory.

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He appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday and was remanded in custody. He did not enter a plea and the case was sent to the Old Bailey on 25 September.

Cammidge was arrested by Counter Terrorism Policing and taken to a London police station before searches were carried out at different addresses in Swindon.

In July the government formally designated the GRU Volunteer Corps under the National Security (State Threats) Act 2026.

This made it a criminal offence to express support for the group.

The GRU is sanctioned in its entirety by the UK, with hackers linked to the agency blamed for cyber attacks in Britain.

It is believed a GRU squad was behind the attempted murder of former spy Sergei Skripal in Salisbury.

(c) Sky News 2026: British man 'prepared to sabotage UK drone factory for Russia', court hears