Four U.S. soldiers killed during NATO exercises in Lithuania near the Belarus border
During NATO tactical exercises in Lithuania near the Belarusian border, four American soldiers died — the tragedy remains shrouded in mystery.
Photo: President Of Ukraine, CC0 1.0
In Lithuania, at the General Silvestras Žukauskas training ground in Pabradė, less than 10 km from the Belarusian border, four U.S. servicemen were killed.
This was reported on March 26 by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte during a visit to Warsaw, according to AP News. The soldiers were participating in scheduled tactical exercises when they went missing on Tuesday afternoon.
Lithuanian TV channel LRT reported that an army vehicle also disappeared at the same time. U.S. Army Europe Command confirmed the exercises but did not disclose the circumstances.
One U.S. official, who wished to remain anonymous, called the incident a "training accident" but declined to clarify the status of the soldiers. Rutte called the tragedy horrific and extended condolences to the families of the deceased.
In the latest press release from the U.S. Army Europe and Africa, it was reported that a sunken American M88 Hercules armored recovery vehicle, with four U.S. servicemen onboard, was found in Lithuania.
The incident occurred during scheduled tactical training of the 1st Brigade of the U.S. 3rd Infantry Division at the military training ground. The vehicle was found underwater in one of the training area's bodies of water after an extensive search organized by the U.S. Army, Lithuanian Armed Forces, and local services.
Recovery operations are ongoing, involving both military and civilian specialists. The fate of the soldiers remains unknown. The search for the servicemen continues.
The command is in contact with the families of the missing and promises to provide updates as the situation develops.
Earlier, it was reported that Canada conducted its largest military exercise in the Arctic — Operation NANOOK-NUNALIVUT, which involved NATO allies. The drills aimed to enhance security in the northern region and practice cooperation in conditions of extreme cold and remoteness.