Lithuanian forces intensify search for missing American soldier
The Lithuanian Armed Forces have announced the use of another amphibious excavator in the search for the fourth missing American soldier. Polish engineers and the Estonian K9 police have joined the operation.
What do you need to know?
- Where are the searches taking place? The searches are happening at the training ground in Pabrade, Lithuania, where four American soldiers went missing.
- Who is involved in the operation? Polish engineers and the Estonian K9 police have joined the operation, supporting the Lithuanian Armed Forces.
- What are the latest actions? The use of the third amphibious excavator equipped with special rakes aims to help locate the last missing soldier.
The Lithuanian Armed Forces have reported that Polish engineers and the Estonian K9 police have joined the search for the fourth missing American soldier. Another amphibious excavator is being used in the operation, which is expected to increase the chances of finding the missing individual.
"The search operation continues, with assistance of Poland and Estonia joining. Thank you, dear friends," was posted on the Lithuanian Defence Ministry's profile.
Earlier, on Monday, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda confirmed the death of three out of the four soldiers.
Accident at the training ground during exercises. The combat vehicle sank in a swamp
The soldiers were travelling in an M88 Hercules recovery vehicle, which sank in a swamp. The machine rested 4 metres underwater, covered by a 2-metre layer of silt. The retrieval of the vehicle was completed on Monday morning, a crucial step in the search.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased soldiers, emphasizing Lithuania's solidarity with the American nation. "Lithuania mourns together with the American nation. Please accept my heartfelt condolences, as well as those of the Lithuanian people," Nausėda wrote to U.S. President Donald Trump on platform X.
Approximately one thousand American soldiers, forming two battalions, are stationed at the training ground in Pabrade. They have been there since 2019 as part of rotational deployments, mainly within armoured brigades.
