Estonian wave buoy commandeered by Russian Navy appears in Kaliningrad within days, turning 7 Tartu University researchers' monitoring project into an absurd maritime mystery. The vessel’s journey left Estonian scientists bewildered and the Baltic Sea with one less buoy, as Russian military motives remain cryptic.

After the wave buoy vanished, Estonian researchers tracked its abrupt detour to Kaliningrad, where Russian sailors reportedly celebrated their unusual haul. Oceanographic data collection halted, scientists were left with a diplomatic headache and the surreal image of a buoy-turned-trophy. “We didn’t expect a naval parade,” joked one researcher.

The seized Estonian wave buoy had been transmitting real-time Baltic Sea data for over 130 days before its abrupt capture.