Healthy processed event from Hybrid War Tracker
Headline: Russian Navy steals Estonian university’s wave buoy from EEZ and takes it to Kaliningrad
Short Summary: In late April 2023, a wave measurement buoy operated by Tallinn University of Technology, located about 50 km off Hiiumaa in Estonia's exclusive economic zone, was taken by Russian naval vessels. The buoy’s movement data showed it was in proximity to Russian Bujan M-class corvettes with AIS systems disabled, and the buoy eventually arrived at the Russian Baltic Fleet headquarters in Kaliningrad. Estonian and Latvian naval vessels attempted to locate the buoy but failed. Officials consider the incident possibly a navigation hazard removal rather than a provocation, but it follows a prior similar episode where Russia removed over 20 buoys from the Narva River border. Estonia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has unsuccessfully sought the return of stolen buoys. TalTech intends to replace the stolen device.
Extended Summary: In late April 2023, a wave measurement buoy operated by Tallinn University of Technology, located about 50 km off Hiiumaa in Estonia's exclusive economic zone, was taken by Russian naval vessels. The buoy’s movement data showed it was in proximity to Russian Bujan M-class corvettes with AIS systems disabled, and the buoy eventually arrived at the Russian Baltic Fleet headquarters in Kaliningrad. Estonian and Latvian naval vessels attempted to locate the buoy but failed. Officials consider the incident possibly a navigation hazard removal rather than a provocation, but it follows a prior similar episode where Russia removed over 20 buoys from the Narva River border. Estonia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has unsuccessfully sought the return of stolen buoys. TalTech intends to replace the stolen device.
Between April 26 and April 29, 2023, Russian naval vessels stole a wave measuring buoy operated by Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) from Estonia’s exclusive economic zone about 50 kilometers from Hiiumaa island. The buoy, measuring 50 cm in diameter and designed for wave measurement, was transmitting data until its signal indicated movements matching Russian naval vessels, specifically two Bujan M-class corvettes with AIS systems turned off. The buoy was eventually taken to the Russian navy’s Baltic Fleet headquarters in Kaliningrad. Estonian Navy and Latvian Navy vessels were unable to locate the buoy when investigating. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs contacted Russia to return previously stolen buoys without success. TalTech plans to deploy a new buoy at the same location soon.
The event describes clear hostile action by Russian naval forces taking physical property from Estonia's EEZ and transporting it to a military facility in Kaliningrad, supported by official statements and data analysis.
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