UK charges Swindon man with assisting GRU Volunteer Corps and preparing sabotage

On 9 September 2026 the Crown Prosecution Service charged Joshua Cammidge, 31, of Swindon, with two offences under the National Security Act 2023: materially assisting a foreign intelligence service (s.3(1)) and preparing an act of sabotage (s.18(1)). According to the CPS, he allegedly communicated with and received instructions from an individual believed to be linked to the GRU Volunteer Corps, a group controlled by Russia's military intelligence agency. At Westminster Magistrates' Court on 10 September, prosecutors alleged that between late March and early September 2026 he shared details of drone-manufacturing sites in Swindon, offered to commit sabotage, researched a Wi-Fi jamming device and carried out reconnaissance. He entered no plea, was remanded in custody and was sent to the Old Bailey.

Established by. CPS press release 'Man charged with assisting GRU Volunteer Corps' (9 Sep 2026): Frank Ferguson, Chief Crown Prosecutor of the Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division: 'The Crown Prosecution Service has decided to prosecute Joshua Cammidge with National Security Act offences'. The release adds that criminal proceedings are active and that he 'has the right to a fair trial.' The courtroom allegations come from prosecutors at the 10 Sep hearing (Reuters, Euronews).

Latest. He was remanded in custody, with a first Old Bailey appearance listed for 25 Sep 2026. Reports say he denied the allegations in police interview. No trial date was found as of 20 Oct 2026. Proceedings are active and he is presumed innocent.

Link to the war against Ukraine. Prosecutors said that between 28 Aug and 3 Sep he discussed the locations of UK drone factories and their sabotage with a British national who had gone to Russia to fight against Ukraine (Reuters). Officials have not said whether the targeted sites supply Ukraine.