A 31-year-old British man appeared before London’s Old Bailey on Friday after prosecutors accused him of providing information about drone manufacturing facilities to individuals linked to Russian military intelligence and offering to help sabotage a site.
Joshua Cammidge, from Swindon in western England, faces charges of assisting a foreign intelligence service and preparing an act of sabotage. He has not entered a plea, while his lawyer has indicated that he intends to deny the allegations.
Prosecutors Allege Drone Factory Information Was Shared
According to prosecutors, Cammidge was in contact with a British national who had traveled to Russia to fight for Ukraine. Investigators say their communications focused on identifying UK facilities involved in drone production.
Prosecutors told the court that Cammidge allegedly supplied information concerning four drone manufacturing locations around Swindon. They also alleged that he offered to carry out sabotage against one of the sites.
The case relates to alleged communications with the GRU Volunteer Corps, which prosecutors describe as being controlled by Russia’s military intelligence agency, the GRU.
Research Into Wi-Fi Jamming and Reconnaissance Alleged
The prosecution has also accused Cammidge of researching technology capable of disrupting Wi-Fi signals and conducting reconnaissance connected to the alleged plot.
Earlier proceedings heard that investigators believe the communications took place over a period spanning several months. Cammidge was arrested in Swindon by counterterrorism officers in September before being brought into custody.
The allegations come as British authorities continue to focus on suspected foreign intelligence and national-security activity involving Russia.
Defendant Denies Intention to Commit Sabotage
Cammidge has not entered a plea in the case. His lawyer, John Oliver, told the court that the defense position is that there was no intention to participate in sabotage and that the communications should not be interpreted as serious plans to carry out an attack.
Cammidge remains in custody. Further court proceedings are scheduled, with the trial expected to take place at Winchester Crown Court in April.
The Russian Embassy in London has not publicly commented on the allegations.
