Search Underway for Missing U.S. Soldiers in Lithuania

VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — A search is currently underway for four U.S. Army soldiers who went missing during a scheduled training exercise outside of Lithuania’s capital, the U.S. military confirmed Wednesday.

The soldiers are part of the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, and were conducting tactical training in a designated area near Pabrade, close to Lithuania’s eastern border with Belarus, when they disappeared. The exact timeline of their disappearance has not been disclosed by military officials.

The U.S. embassy in Vilnius thanked the Lithuanian military and police for their assistance in the ongoing search efforts. In a statement posted on social media, they expressed their appreciation for the coordination and support received from local authorities.

According to Lithuanian news outlet Delfi, the missing soldiers were reported to have gone missing alongside a tracked vehicle, which is usually indicative of military equipment such as tanks or armored personnel carriers. The nature of the incident remains unclear as authorities continue their search.

Search and recovery teams are actively working in the vicinity to locate the missing personnel and associated equipment. The U.S. Army Europe and Africa public affairs office in Wiesbaden, Germany, stated that they are monitoring the situation closely and will provide additional updates as the search progresses.

The situation highlights the potential risks associated with military training exercises, particularly in remote areas. The U.S. Army has not experienced any fatalities related to this incident, and there is currently no information to suggest a hostile action has occurred.

Military officials urge anyone with information regarding the soldiers’ whereabouts to contact local law enforcement or military authorities. As the search continues, the community is rallying support for the families and friends of the missing soldiers.