Russia detains man for allegedly spying on British diplomats in Moscow on behalf of Ukrainian intelligence
The FSB said the data collection was part of preparations for a Ukrainian false-flag operation against British diplomatic staff in Russia
Russia's internal security agency has detained a former guard at the British Embassy in Moscow who collected personal data on British diplomats, alleging that he had been working for Ukrainian intelligence.
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The FSB said the data collection was part of preparations for a Ukrainian false-flag operation against British diplomatic staff in Russia, aimed at accusing Russia of hostile actions at a later stage.
It comes after 31-year-old Joshua Cammidge was charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service contrary to section three of the National Security Act 2023 and preparatory conduct contrary to section 18 of the National Security Act 2023, the Metropolitan Police said yesterday.
The Met Police said the charges relate to alleged contact with a representative of the GRU Volunteer Corps – a group controlled by Russia’s military intelligence agency.
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Cammidge was arrested by Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) London officers, supported by officers from Wiltshire Police, at an address in Swindon on Friday, the force said.
He was taken to a London police station and searches were carried out at a different address in Swindon.
On Saturday, Cammidge was further arrested and detained under the National Security Act, on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service.
Cammidge, a British national, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
Relations between Britain and Russia have deteriorated sharply since Moscow launched its military action in Ukraine in 2022.
Moscow sees Britain as Ukraine's main backer in the four-and-a-half-year conflict.
An FCDO Spokesperson said: "We don't comment on security matters.
"It is common that Russian state actors seek to drive wedges between Ukraine and its international partners through disinformation.”