Four U.S. Army soldiers are missing in a training area in Lithuania near the border with Belarus and are searching. US Army said Wednesday.
Soldiers are in the capital Vilnius Wiesbaden, Germanysaid in a statement.
It is not clear when the soldiers disappeared, the 3rd Infantry Division.
Eurocopters Tiger of the German Army participated in the Lithuanian-Germany military exercise on May 29, 2024 in Pabrade, north of the capital Vilnius. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis, File)
The U.S. military said that as information becomes available, further updates will be provided regarding the search for missing soldiers.
According to the Lithuanian armed forces, they said in a statement obtained by Reuters that they were told of missing soldiers on Tuesday.
“The possible location of the incident has been determined and a search and rescue operation is underway,” the statement said.
Pabradė’s training ground is less than 6 miles from the border with Belarus.
“I want to thank the Lithuanian Armed Forces and First Responders who were quick to help with our search operations,” Lieutenant General V Corps said in a written statement. “This teamwork and support reflects the importance of our partnership and humanity, no matter what flag we wear on our shoulders.”
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Lithuania, a NATO membersSince its declaration of independence from the Soviet Union in 1990, Russia has often had tensions with Russia, a key ally. Latvia and Estonia, other Baltic countries separated from the Soviet Union, also had similar friendly ties to Russia.
Relations deteriorate further in 2022 on Russia’s full invasion of Ukraine and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, have been one of the most outspoken supporters of Ukraine’s battle with the Russian president Vladimir Putin strength.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
