Officials previously confirmed the soldiers had gone missing close to the Belarusian border
A NATO official has confirmed that the four US military personnel who went missing close to the Belarusian border have died following a training mission in Lithuania.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte confirmed earlier today (March 26) that four American soldiers, along with a tank, went missing during a training exercise in Lithuania, just miles from the Belarusian border. The soldiers were conducting scheduled tactical training near the country’s capital, Vilnius, when the tragic incident occurred. Unfortunately, it has now been confirmed that the soldiers lost their lives. Speaking to reporters during a visit to a school in Warsaw, Poland, Rutte shared the heartbreaking news: “While I was speaking, the news came out about four American soldiers who were killed in an incident in Lithuania.”
“This is still early news, so we don’t have all the details yet,” Rutte remarked. “This is truly terrible news, and our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those involved.”
Earlier today, the U.S. Embassy in Vilnius issued a statement, confirming that the soldiers—members of the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division—were engaged in scheduled tactical training at the time of the incident. “Search and recovery efforts are currently underway,” the embassy noted. While the U.S. military has not yet issued an official statement, Lieutenant General Charles Costanza expressed his gratitude for Lithuania’s swift response, thanking their armed forces and first responders for their support in the search and rescue operation.
“I would like to personally thank the Lithuanian Armed Forces and first responders who quickly came to our aid in our search operations,” Costanza said in a statement.
“It’s this kind of teamwork and support that truly exemplifies the strength of our partnership and our shared humanity, regardless of the flags we wear on our shoulders,” Lieutenant General Costanza added.
The soldiers were last seen alive on March 25, riding an armored vehicle near Pabrade, a city in eastern Lithuania. According to Lithuanian public broadcaster LRT, they were conducting training at the General Silvestras Žukauskas Training Ground, located just about six miles from the Belarusian border.
This region is particularly sensitive, as Belarus is allied with Russia, while Lithuania is a NATO member and has consistently voiced its strong support for Ukraine.
Lithuania became a NATO member in 2004, 14 years after it declared independence from the now-defunct Soviet Union, which had occupied the country for 50 years. This complex history has fueled longstanding tensions between Russia and Lithuania.
However, amidst these ongoing tensions, there was a significant development yesterday as Ukraine and Russia agreed to a ceasefire deal regarding the Black Sea. The agreement came after crucial discussions between the two countries and the United States, offering a glimmer of hope for de-escalation in the region.
