Four U.S. Army soldiers have gone missing during a training exercise in Lithuania, officials confirmed on Wednesday. The U.S. military, along with Lithuanian forces, is currently involved in an intense search and recovery operation.
The soldiers, all from the 1st Brigade of the 3rd Infantry Division, were taking part in scheduled tactical training near Pabrade, which lies close to Lithuania’s eastern border with Belarus—a country that is a strong ally of Russia.
What Happened During the Training?
According to U.S. officials, the incident appears to have been a training accident. The U.S. Army later confirmed that the soldiers had been operating an M88 Hercules armored recovery vehicle, which has since been found submerged in a body of water.
The vehicle was discovered inside the training area during the search efforts carried out by the U.S. Army, Lithuanian Armed Forces, and other Lithuanian authorities.
Confusion Over the Soldiers’ Fate
Earlier on Wednesday, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said the soldiers had been killed. However, NATO later clarified that Rutte was referring to unconfirmed media reports and that their deaths have not been officially confirmed.
At this time, the soldiers are still considered missing, and the situation remains uncertain until official recovery efforts are completed.
Official Reactions and Ongoing Efforts
Sean Parnell, the chief spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense, said in a statement:
“We’re aware that four U.S. soldiers are currently missing in Lithuania during a training exercise and that search and recovery efforts are underway. Our hearts go out to the soldiers and families affected by this situation.”
The U.S. Embassy in Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital, thanked local military and police forces for assisting in the search. They did not specify when exactly the soldiers went missing, but stressed the importance of cooperation in ongoing rescue operations.
Where Did the Incident Occur?
The soldiers were training in an area near Pabrade, which is located not far from Lithuania’s border with Belarus. This region is considered sensitive due to its closeness to Russia’s ally and ongoing geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe.
Training missions in this region are part of NATO’s collective defense strategy, which aims to strengthen readiness and cooperation among allied forces.
The search for the four missing U.S. soldiers in Lithuania is still ongoing, with both American and Lithuanian teams working together to recover them. While their vehicle has been found, the fate of the soldiers remains unknown.
This incident highlights the risks that soldiers face even during training missions and reminds us of the importance of international cooperation in times of crisis. Updates are expected as recovery efforts continue.