In a significant development, a U.S. armored vehicle that had gone missing in Lithuania has been successfully retrieved from a swamp after a thorough six-day search. However, officials have yet to provide any information regarding the fate of the four American soldiers who were aboard the vehicle, as confirmed by Lithuanian authorities on Monday.
Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė announced on Facebook that the armored vehicle was pulled ashore at 4:40 a.m., marking the completion of the towing operation. She noted that both Lithuanian Military Police and U.S. investigators are continuing their efforts to uncover more details about the incident. “Until the investigators have more details, we need to stay calm and focused, and keep in mind the sensitivity of the situation and the concerns of the soldiers’ families,” Šakalienė stated.
The missing soldiers were part of a training exercise at the expansive General Silvestras Žukauskas training ground located in Pabradė, a town situated just 10 kilometers (6 miles) west of the Belarus border. They were reported missing in the early hours of Tuesday morning, according to the U.S. Army.
All four soldiers belong to the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division and were engaged in tactical training when the incident occurred. The search operation involved hundreds of Lithuanian and U.S. soldiers, as well as rescuers, who scoured the thick forests and swampy areas surrounding Pabradė.
The M88 Hercules armored vehicle was discovered submerged in approximately 4.5 meters (15 feet) of water on Wednesday. The recovery operation was extensive, but challenges arose due to the water, thick mud, and soft ground around the recovery site. Specialized equipment was necessary to drain the water and stabilize the ground to safely pull the 70-ton vehicle ashore, as per statements from the Army.
As the investigation continues, the U.S. Army has committed to providing the first updates regarding the status of the missing soldiers. The situation remains delicate, and families of the soldiers are anxiously awaiting news.
