NATO walked back its claim that the four United States soldiers missing in Lithuania had died.
On Wednesday, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced that four U.S. soldiers who had gone missing during a training exercise in Lithuania had died. Later that day, NATO clarified that it was not the case.
“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 spokeswoman Allison Hart said.
Four members of the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, disappeared at a training range near the Lithuanian city of Pabradė. Their M88 Hercules armored recovery vehicle was found submerged over 16 feet in a peat bog. A joint recovery operation from the U.S. Army, Lithuanian Armed Forces, and civilian agencies is ongoing.
Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas visited the site of the rescue in a show of support.
“Expressed my Government’s full solidarity and support for the ongoing rescue operation of 4 missing US troops. Our thoughts & prayers are with their families and brothers in arms,” he said.
He was joined by Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė, who said rescuers were working “round the clock.”
She told Lithuanian media outlet LRT Thursday that the rescue efforts involved water pumping and ground reinforcement. They had observed “certain positive signs that give hope for a quicker scenario.”
“US soldiers are our soldiers, we will do everything possible for each of them,” she wrote on Facebook.
The Lithuanian Armed Forces shared a picture of the operation, saying, “Special machines are draining the swamp and intensively digging to reach lost vehicle,” with additional heavy equipment on the way. It said on Wednesday there was “no evidence or information confirming the death of the troops.”
The U.S. ambassador to Lithuania, Kara McDonald, visited the rescue site to show support and thank Lithuania for its help.
FOUR US ARMY SOLDIERS WHO WENT MISSING IN LITHUANIA HAVE DIED, NATO CHIEF RUTTE SAYS
“As our Secretary of Defense said, we will not rest until our soldiers are found. We can see that this is a technically very difficult situation. I want to thank the Lithuanian Government, the authorities and everyone who is here and helping in the search. Their support is absolutely necessary and needed. We are very grateful. Lithuania is an exemplary ally and we are very grateful for the help,” she said.
Former Lithuanian Armed Forces Commander VJ Žukas expressed confusion over the incident to LRT, saying the training ground is deeply mapped out, including what areas are safe for certain types of vehicles.
On Thursday, President Donald Trump was asked about the soldiers and said he had not been briefed on the situation.
