Four U.S. soldiers have been found dead in Lithuania after their M88 recovery vehicle was lost during a training exercise near Belarus, with an investigation now underway to determine what caused this tragic incident.
Quick Takes
- Four U.S. soldiers from the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division were found deceased after going missing during a training exercise in Lithuania.
- The incident occurred at the General Silvestras Žukauskas training ground in Pabradė, near the Belarus border.
- A major search operation involved Lithuanian and American military assets including helicopters and border guards.
- The soldiers were in an M88 recovery vehicle when the incident occurred.
- Officials have confirmed finding the location but are withholding details pending investigation results.
American Soldiers Located After Intensive Search
Four American soldiers have been found deceased in Lithuania following an intensive search and rescue operation. The soldiers, members of the 1st Brigade from the 3rd Infantry Division based at Fort Stewart, Georgia, disappeared during scheduled tactical training at the General Silvestras Žukauskas training ground in Pabradė. Initial reports mentioned three missing soldiers, but this was later updated to four. The incident occurred near Lithuania’s border with Belarus, an area known for tense relations with Russia, particularly following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
The soldiers were traveling in an M88 recovery vehicle – a large armored vehicle used by U.S. Armed Forces – when they went missing. Lithuanian and American forces collaborated in a comprehensive search operation that included helicopters from the Air Force and assistance from the State Border Guard Service. After identifying a possible location where the incident occurred, authorities confirmed the tragic outcome of the search effort. The cause of the incident has not yet been released, as officials await the results of a formal investigation.
BREAKING:
4 US soldiers have been found dead after they have mysteriously disappeared during a training exercise in Lithuania.
Reportedly their bodies were found near the border with Belarus. pic.twitter.com/WNziV0N3oT
— Current Report (@Currentreport1) March 26, 2025
Military Officials Acknowledge Collaborative Effort
V Corps Commanding General Charles Constanza expressed gratitude for the swift response and collaboration of Lithuanian forces during the search operation. The Lithuanian Armed Forces, local law enforcement, and the Fire Protection and Rescue Department contributed significant resources to locate the missing soldiers. The search operation demonstrated the strong partnership between U.S. and Lithuanian military forces, with multiple assets deployed to find the soldiers and their vehicle as quickly as possible.
The Lithuanian Armed Forces also acknowledged the coordinated effort, stating, “Currently, the possible location of the incident has been identified and a search and rescue operation is underway, led by the Lithuanian Armed Forces, with additional capabilities from the Fire Protection and Rescue Department and other institutions.” The prompt response highlighted the operational readiness of NATO allies in the Baltic region, where military cooperation has intensified in recent years amid growing security concerns.
Investigation Ongoing With Limited Details Released
Officials from both countries are maintaining discretion regarding specific details of the incident as the investigation proceeds. Giedrimas Jeglinskas, Chairman of the Lithuanian parliamentary Committee on National Security and Defence, urged restraint and respect during the ongoing investigation. Lithuanian authorities initially confirmed only that foreign soldiers were involved in the incident without specifying their nationality, though the U.S. Embassy in Vilnius later acknowledged the missing American personnel.
The incident occurs against the backdrop of heightened NATO presence in the Baltic states. Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia- all NATO members – have maintained strained relations with neighboring Russia, particularly following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The U.S. has increased its military presence in these NATO frontier states as part of the alliance’s enhanced forward presence. The training exercise in which the soldiers were participating represents the ongoing commitment of American forces to maintain readiness and interoperability with their Lithuanian counterparts.
Sources:
Four US soldiers killed and tank disappears in Lithuania as search teams scrambled
4 US Army soldiers reported missing during scheduled tactical training in Lithuania: US Embassy
Four US soldiers found dead near Belarus border in mystery tragedy
