An urgent search operation is underway in eastern Lithuania after four U.S. soldiers went missing during NATO military exercises near the Belarusian border. The troops, part of the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, were last seen on Tuesday when their tracked military vehicle disappeared during a training mission near Pabrade.
The U.S. Army has since located the submerged vehicle, though the fate of the soldiers remains uncertain. Lithuanian forces, aided by NATO allies, helicopters, and border guards, have been searching round-the-clock for the missing servicemen.
In a statement on X, the Lithuanian military confirmed the search was “intensively ongoing” and clarified that no official confirmation of the soldiers’ deaths has been made. However, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte earlier indicated he had received word of fatalities but said further details were lacking.
Joint Military Response and International Support
Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovile Sakaliene reassured the public that all emergency services are on standby, ready to provide medical assistance if necessary. “Everyone is working tirelessly,” she stated, emphasizing the seriousness of the incident.
Lieutenant General Charles Costanza, commanding general of U.S. Army V Corps, expressed gratitude for Lithuania’s swift and coordinated response. “I want to personally thank the Lithuanian armed forces and first responders who came to our aid,” he said.
The missing soldiers were participating in a scheduled tactical training exercise alongside Lithuanian and other NATO forces when they vanished. Lithuania, a NATO and EU member, currently hosts over 1,000 U.S. troops stationed on a rotational basis.
Uncertainty and Ongoing Investigation
Authorities believe a possible site connected to the disappearance has been found, but no official explanation has been given regarding how or why the vehicle ended up submerged. The ongoing investigation aims to determine what led to the incident and whether environmental factors or equipment failure played a role.
The situation has cast a shadow over the multinational military drills, which are part of broader efforts to ensure security in the region amid ongoing tensions near the Belarus border.
As the search enters its third day, the world waits anxiously for answers—and, most of all, for the safe return of the missing American soldiers.
