Key takeaways:

• Four US soldiers are missing in Lithuania after their armored vehicle was found submerged during a NATO training exercise.
• The operation has shifted from search to recovery, and the situation is deemed challenging due to the muddy conditions.
• NATO and U.S. Army officials are working closely with Lithuanian forces to recover the soldiers and their vehicle.

In the wake of a tragic incident during a routine NATO training exercise, a recovery operation is now underway for four US Army soldiers missing in Lithuania. Confirmed by various sources including India Times and ABC News, the soldiers, assigned to the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division from Fort Stewart, Georgia, vanished on Tuesday during an exercise close to Pabradė, near the Belarus border.

Their M88 Hercules armored recovery vehicle was later located about 15 feet underwater, prompting officials to declare the mission a recovery effort. Lithuanian authorities noted that conditions were difficult, with the vehicle submerged in muddy and unstable terrain. Search efforts involve a large-scale collaboration between US and Lithuanian military forces, who are employing heavy machinery and divers to assist in the operation, CBS News reports.

His remarks reflect the tense situation, with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte initially suggesting that the soldiers may have perished, a statement later clarified to emphasize that the search remains ongoing, as mentioned on The Hill.

With hopes for a miracle lingering, the Lithuanian Minister of Defense stated the operation would be extensive and challenging, especially since a high-pressure gas pipeline runs beneath the recovery site.Channel News Asia noted that recovery teams are working under substantial pressure to navigate environmental hazards and military logistics.

The entire mission underscores the commitment of NATO allies, highlighting the partnerships formed under shared objectives of security and cooperation near the border regions of Eastern Europe. As recovery efforts continue, a close eye remains trained on both the operational outcomes and the well-being of the soldiers’ families.