In the Baltic state of Lithuania, four US soldiers have suddenly gone missing. According to military officials on Wednesday (March 26), they disappeared during a routine training exercise.
A large-scale search operation is currently ongoing to locate them. News agencies Anadolu and CNN confirmed this information in separate reports on Thursday (March 27).
According to the Public Relations Office of the US Army Europe and Africa Command, a multinational search operation is underway near Pabrade, close to Lithuania’s capital Vilnius, to find the missing soldiers.
In a statement, the office mentioned that the missing soldiers, all from the 1st Brigade of the 3rd Infantry Division, were undergoing regular military training at the time of their disappearance.
Lieutenant General Charles Costanza, Commanding General of the V Corps, said, “I personally want to thank the Lithuanian Armed Forces and first responders who quickly stepped forward to assist us in our search operation.”
He further stated, “Such unity and support exemplify the importance of our partnership and humanity, as it does not matter which flag we bear when we face difficulties.”
Military officials have not disclosed the identities of the missing soldiers. Investigators are examining the circumstances under which they went missing.
According to Anadolu, Lithuania is a small country with a population of about 1.9 million, located between Russia and the Baltic Sea. The US military regularly participates in joint training exercises with NATO allies in Lithuania.