U.S. Army Soldiers Missing in Lithuania as Mystery Deepens

Four U.S. Army soldiers have disappeared in Lithuania.

The soldiers "are currently missing in Lithuania in a training area near Pabradė," the U.S. Army Europe and Africa wrote in a March 26 press release.

Their vehicle has now been found submerged in water.

"The M88 Hercules armored recovery vehicle the four missing U.S. Soldiers were operating during a training exercise has been located in Lithuania," the Army announced in an updated release. 

"The vehicle was discovered submerged in a body of water in a training area after a search by U.S. Army, Lithuanian Armed Forces and other Lithuanian authorities. Recovery efforts are underway by U.S. Army and Lithuanian Armed Forces and civilian agencies."

On the 4 US soldiers missing in a military exercise in Lithuania, the search is ongoing. We regret any confusion about remarks @SecGenNATO delivered on this today. He was referring to emerging news reports & was not confirming the fate of the missing, which is still unknown

— NATO Spokesperson (@NATOpress) March 26, 2025

"The Soldiers, all from 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, were conducting scheduled tactical training at the time of the incident," the Army wrote in its initial release.

“I would like to personally thank the Lithuanian Armed Forces and first responders who quickly came to our aid in our search operations,” said Lt. Gen. Charles Costanza, the V Corps commanding general, in the release. “It’s this kind of teamwork and support that exemplifies the importance of our partnership and our humanity regardless of what flags we wear on our shoulders.”

The soldiers have not been named.

NATO walked back comments from Secretary-General Mark Rutte indicating the soldiers had died, according to The Associated Press.

“The search is ongoing,” NATO said in a statement posted to its spokesperson's X page. “We regret any confusion about remarks @SecGenNATO delivered on this today. He was referring to emerging news reports & was not confirming the fate of the missing, which is still unknown.”