Investigation Launched After Tragic Incident at Lithuanian Training Grounds

Four U.S. soldiers were found dead at a Lithuanian military training ground after they went missing during a tactical exercise, prompting a massive international search operation near the Belarus border.

Key Takeaways

Four U.S. soldiers from the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division were found dead after going missing during training exercises in Lithuania.
The incident occurred at the General Silvestras Žukauskas training ground in Pabradė, near the Belarus border, in a region with heightened tensions.
An M88 recovery vehicle used by the soldiers was also missing and later located during the search operation.
A joint search effort involved Lithuanian Armed Forces, U.S. military personnel, and local first responders including helicopters and border guards.
An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths is ongoing, with officials requesting discretion during the process.

Disappearance and Search Operation

Four U.S. soldiers stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia, were reported missing during scheduled tactical training at the General Silvestras Žukauskas training ground in Pabradė, Lithuania. The soldiers, members of the 1st Brigade of the 3rd Infantry Division, disappeared along with their M88 recovery vehicle – a large armored vehicle used by U.S. Armed Forces for recovery operations. Initial reports mentioned only three missing soldiers, but this was later updated to four as the search intensified.

Lithuanian authorities quickly mobilized a comprehensive search operation involving both U.S. and Lithuanian military personnel. The operation included helicopters from the Air Force and State Border Guard Service, as well as other specialized search assets. The possible location of the incident was identified early in the search, allowing rescuers to focus their efforts in a specific area within the training grounds.

BREAKING:

4 US soldiers have been found dead after they have mysteriously disappeared during a training exercise in Lithuania.

Reportedly their bodies were found near the border with Belarus. pic.twitter.com/WNziV0N3oT

— Current Report (@Currentreport1) March 26, 2025

Discovery and Confirmation

Following the extensive search operation, all four soldiers were found deceased. While the U.S. Embassy in Vilnius had confirmed the soldiers were missing, details about the circumstances of their deaths remain limited as authorities continue their investigation. The incident occurred in a geopolitically significant area near the border with Belarus, in a region where tensions with Russia have been heightened, particularly since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Local police have been involved in clarifying the circumstances of the disappearance and subsequent deaths. The Lithuanian Armed Forces spokesman confirmed the missing individuals were foreign soldiers but has been cautious about providing specific details as the investigation remains active. Lithuanian officials have emphasized the need for discretion during this sensitive period.

Military Response and Cooperation

The tragedy has highlighted the close military cooperation between the United States and Lithuania, a NATO member. Lieutenant General Charles Constanza, V Corps Commanding General, expressed gratitude for the swift response from Lithuanian forces during the search operations. The incident occurred during ongoing military exercises that are part of NATO’s enhanced presence in the Baltic region.

Giedrimas Jeglinskas, Chairman of the Lithuania parliamentary Committee on National Security and Defence, has urged the public and media to respect the ongoing investigation process. Military officials from both countries have requested discretion while they work to understand the full circumstances surrounding this tragic incident. The soldiers’ families are being notified, and support services are being arranged.