La Derecha Diario Four American soldiers died mysteriously in Lithuania
The soldiers, who were missing, were conducting a training and were found dead near the border with Belarus
Four United States Army soldiers died in Lithuania after disappearing while conducting training exercises at a military site near the city of Pabradė, in the east of the country, just six miles from the border with Belarus, a close ally of Russia.
The soldiers, all members of the 1st Brigade of the 3rd Infantry Division, based in Fort Stewart, Georgia, were last seen on Tuesday while conducting tactical exercises in a M88A2 Hercules armored vehicle.
The incident occurred in a context of increasing tension in the region due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the defensive measures taken by NATO countries, such as Lithuania.
Although Lithuanian authorities haven't confirmed the exact details yet, local media suggest that the soldiers may have drowned after their armored vehicle became trapped in swampy terrain.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte expressed his condolences to the soldiers' families and highlighted the seriousness of the situation, although he clarified that the exact details are still unknown.
The search for the missing soldiers involved a massive rescue operation with the participation of Lithuanian troops and other NATO countries, Lithuanian Air Force helicopters and the Lithuanian Border Guard Service.
The U.S. Army thanked the rapid response of the Lithuanian armed forces in the rescue efforts. The Fifth Corps' Lieutenant General Charles Costanza publicly thanked Lithuania and the first responders, highlighting the importance of cooperation in times of crisis.
The training area in Pabradė, located near the border with Belarus, is known for its difficult conditions, which include swampy terrain, posing an additional challenge in military operations.
The soldiers disappeared around 7 p.m. on Tuesday, when they were traveling in the armored vehicle. Although the Lithuanian army hasn't officially confirmed the soldiers' deaths yet, Lithuanian military spokesman Major Gintautas Ciunis reported that the location of the possible incident had been identified and that the search and rescue operation was ongoing.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda expressed his condolences for the incident and reaffirmed Lithuania's commitment to security and collective defense within NATO.
Lithuania has been a strong supporter of Ukraine in its fight against Russia and, in response to growing threats, has increased its security measures, including mining its borders with Russia and Belarus.
This incident underscores the risks faced by soldiers deployed in the region, where tensions with other military powers are high.
The United States Army hasn't provided details about the exact causes of the incident yet, but General Costanza highlighted the importance of international collaboration in times of crisis, regardless of the flags countries carry.
Through its participation in NATO, the U.S. armed forces are committed to supporting the region's security, especially in a context of increasing tensions with Russia.
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