Efforts are intensifying to locate four missing US soldiers whose armoured vehicle was discovered submerged in a water body near Pabrade, Lithuania, close to the Belarus border. The soldiers, part of the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, were engaged in a training operation to retrieve another vehicle when they went missing on Tuesday.
In response to the situation, a significant search operation has been launched, involving US and Lithuanian military personnel, law enforcement, and specialised units such as diving teams and helicopters from the Lithuanian military. Ground search crews are facing challenges due to difficult terrain, including dense forests and swampy areas. The recovery mission has been described as continuous, with emergency teams working tirelessly since the vehicle’s discovery.
The submerged M88 armoured vehicle was found at a depth of about five metres, prompting emergency workers to drain the surrounding swamp in order to gain access. Engineers have also constructed berms to contain water, facilitating the efforts of rescue teams on-site.
As of Thursday, Lithuania’s Ministry of National Defence stated that there was no evidence of casualties, but rescue operations would continue throughout the night. US Army Major-General Curtis Taylor expressed a commitment to finding the missing soldiers, underscoring that search efforts would not cease until they were located.
The situation has drawn attention, with US President Donald Trump remarking that he had not been briefed on the soldiers’ status. The commanding general of the 1st Armoured Division acknowledged the emotional toll the incident has taken on families, friends, and fellow soldiers involved in the recovery efforts.
Since 2014, the US has maintained a military presence in Eastern Europe, including Lithuania, as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, which commenced following Russia’s annexation of Crimea. Lithuania, an active member of NATO and the European Union, hosts a rotational deployment of American troops, reinforcing the strong ties between the two nations in addressing security in the region.