Four U.S. Soldiers Killed in Training Accident Near Lithuanian-Belarus Border, NATO and Pentagon Confirm

Four U.S. Army soldiers were reported missing during a training exercise in Lithuania, according to a statement from the U.S. embassy in Vilnius. The soldiers were participating in a tactical training operation near the town of Pabradė, approximately 30 miles south of Vilnius and close to the border with Belarus. The embassy expressed gratitude to the Lithuanian military and police for their assistance in the search efforts.

Lt. Gen. Charles Costanza, the V Corps commander, acknowledged the prompt support from the Lithuanian Armed Forces and first responders in the search operations. The soldiers were part of a joint training exercise with Lithuanian armed forces and law enforcement, as part of ongoing military cooperation between the two nations.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, speaking in Poland, confirmed the incident, stating that the four soldiers had been killed during the exercise. He emphasized the collaborative nature of the training, which aims to enhance military readiness and cooperation among NATO allies. The Pentagon also confirmed the incident, describing it as a training accident.

Efforts to locate and recover the soldiers are currently underway. The soldiers involved were identified as members of the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division. The incident underscores the inherent risks associated with military training exercises, particularly those conducted in challenging environments near international borders.