Lithuanian authorities continue their search for four missing U.S. soldiers who vanished during military exercises on March 25.
Hundreds of rescuers and fellow troops are involved in the operation, with efforts now focused on a swamp where an object resembling an M88 Hercules armored vehicle has been detected. The vehicle is believed to be submerged at a depth of five meters after potentially getting trapped in the bog.
Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovile Šakalienė reassured the American public:
“Just as America never leaves its people behind, neither do we in Lithuania. And we consider American soldiers our own. Our society is heartbroken and following every moment of this rescue operation. I assure you, we will do everything possible to find them.”
Rescue teams are working to drain the swamp, but water from a nearby lake is complicating the process. Specialists have already removed several meters of mud and plan to secure the M88 with hooks to pull it free. It remains uncertain whether the soldiers are still inside the vehicle.
Poland has also joined the search effort, with Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz announcing on X that a team of specialized troops is on its way to assist.
