Lithuania’s president visited the swampland where four American soldiers went missing during a military training exercise. The M88 Hercules, an armored tow truck, was found submerged in a muddy bog and its crew is still unaccounted for. President Gitanas Nauseda expressed hope that “miracles” will happen to rescue the missing soldiers.
The soldiers were from the First Brigade, Third Infantry Division, and were training near Lithuania’s border with Belarus. The country has been criticized by both Belarus and Russia for hosting American troops.
President Trump’s administration has signaled a shift in priorities, focusing on its own border and Indo-Pacific regions, which has raised concerns about the US commitment to NATO. However, Lithuanian officials praise their cooperation with US rescue crews.
The US military praised Lithuania’s efforts to find the missing soldiers, saying they are “incredibly appreciative” of their help. The rescue operation is complex due to the terrain and the vehicle’s location beneath five yards of water.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/28/world/europe/missing-american-soldiers-lithuania-vehicle.html