Search efforts are underway for four U.S. Army soldiers who went missing during a training exercise in Lithuania after their M88 "Hercules" armored recovery vehicle was discovered submerged in a training area. The soldiers are part of the 1st Brigade of the 3rd Infantry Division and were conducting tactical training at the General Silvestras Žukauskas training ground, located near Pabrade, approximately six miles from the Belarus border.
The U.S. Army confirmed that the vehicle was located in a waterlogged section of the training site, prompting a coordinated recovery operation involving both U.S. and Lithuanian military personnel, along with air support from helicopters. Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene stated that no bodies have been found, asserting, "It would be wrong to say that the soldiers are dead."
Earlier reports from NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte suggested that the soldiers might have died, but this was later clarified by NATO officials, who emphasized that their current status is still unconfirmed. The U.S. military is in communication with the families of the missing soldiers, providing updates on the situation.
The soldiers were reported missing on Tuesday afternoon while participating in scheduled tactical exercises aimed at enhancing interoperability between U.S. and Lithuanian forces. The ongoing U.S. military presence in Lithuania is part of NATO's strategy to strengthen defense capabilities in Eastern Europe amid regional security concerns. An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the vehicle's submersion is currently ongoing.