UK Navy Sailor Charged Over Alleged Plot To Aid Russia

A 24-year-old Royal Navy sailor has been charged over an alleged plot to pass sensitive UK defence and intelligence information to Russia.

Teddy Young, a Royal Navy warfare intelligence rating with high-level security clearance, appeared before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday after being charged under the UK’s National Security Act 2023

Prosecutors allege that between November 26, 2024, and May 21, 2025, Young accessed and retained protected information and engaged in conduct in preparation for disclosing it to a foreign power.

The Crown Prosecution Service said the information was obtained with the intention of benefiting a foreign power, which has been identified as Russia.

Young is also accused of using the dark web to try to contact Russian authorities and preparing a message in Russian containing classified information.

He allegedly copied information to a private email account while serving on his first deployment, which began in November 2024.

Young was previously arrested in May 2025 and released on bail, after which his security clearance was suspended and he was removed from his duties.

He was arrested again at his home in Bedfordshire on Tuesday by Counter Terrorism Policing London.

At Thursday’s hearing, Young was not asked to enter a plea. District Judge Annabel Pilling remanded him in custody and sent the case to the Old Bailey, where he is due to appear on October 16.

Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, described the charges as serious and said investigators had worked closely with the Ministry of Defence to mitigate potential risks.

The Royal Navy confirmed that a serving member had been charged but declined to comment further because legal proceedings are ongoing.

Police said the case is not connected to the separate investigation into the recent incident at RAF Fairford.

The allegations against Young have not been proven in court.