The U.S. Army on Monday confirmed the deaths after a vehicle was recovered from a swamp close to the country's eastern border at the Pabrade training ground.

"I am deeply saddened by the news that the U.S. soldiers, who went missing during the recent military exercise in Lithuania, have tragically lost their lives. I extend my heartfelt condolences to their families, president and the people of the U.S. We share your sorrow," President Alar Karis wrote.

I am deeply saddened by the news that the U.S. soldiers, who went missing during the recent military exercise in Lithuania, have tragically lost their lives. I extend my heartfelt condolences to their families, President @POTUS, & the people of the U.S. We share your sorrow.

— Alar Karis (@AlarKaris) March 31, 2025

Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna (Eesti 200) said: "My heartfelt condolences to the loved ones of the U.S. servicemen who lost their lives during a training mission in Lithuania. In this moment of sorrow, I recognize the efforts of the rescue teams, as well as the U.S. commitment to ensuring peace and security in our region."

My heartfelt condolences to the loved ones of the U.S. servicemen who lost their lives during a training mission in Lithuania.⁰
In this moment of sorrow, I recognize the efforts of the rescue teams, as well as the U.S. commitment to ensuring peace & security in our region.

— Margus Tsahkna (@Tsahkna) March 31, 2025

Minister of Defense Hanno Pevkur (Reform) wrote: "We extend our deepest condolences for the loss of the U.S. soldiers who perished in a tragic training incident in Lithuania. Our thoughts are with their families, comrades, and our close allies during this difficult time. Estonia stands with you."

We extend our deepest condolences for the loss of the U.S. soldiers who perished in a tragic training incident in .

Our thoughts are with their families, comrades, and our close allies during this difficult time.

Estonia stands with you. #StrongerTogether @DSakaliene

— Hanno Pevkur (@HPevkur) March 31, 2025

The US Army Europe and Africa said in a statement issued Monday: "Three U.S. Army Soldiers [...] were found deceased in Lithuania today."

The body of the fourth American soldier was found later, the U.S. Army Command Europe and Africa announced on Tuesday evening.

Four soldiers and an M88 Hercules tracked recovery vehicle went missing during an exercise near the Belarusian border last Tuesday (March 25). It was located the next day submerged in a swampy area at a depth of around five meters.

Lithuanian Minister of Defense Dovile Šakaliene said the vehicle weighed nearly 70 tons and had become firmly stuck in deep mud, hampering rescue efforts further.

The large-scale recovery work involved the Lithuanian army and rescue services, as well as U.S. and Polish forces.

Lithuanian prosecutors have now opened a pre-trial investigation to determine the facts of the matter, and the U.S. military is investigating the cause of the incident, with further details to be made public as circumstances allow, LRT reported.

Estonia's PPA joins search for missing U.S. soldier

Estonia's Police and Border Guard (PPA) joined the search for the fourth U.S. soldier, the U.S. Army Europe and Africa said on Tuesday.

Two PPA officers and two service dogs, Tilt and Maik, flew to Lithuania in a U.S. Army helicopter at 2 a.m. on Monday.

Photographs from the scene show a dog and its handler in a U.S. Navy Rigid Inflatable Boat trying to locate trace scents below the surface.

"I'm really proud again of the partnerships, especially with Estonia, who, last night flew in two specialized working dogs able to search the water," said Brig. Gen. John Lloyd, commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers North Atlantic Division.

Yesterday a Lithuanian military working dog joined the search, and Estonia flew two more military working dogs to assist. From the bottom of our hearts we thank these three NATO Allies for helping us bring our Soldier home. #WeWillNotRest pic.twitter.com/8zJV3LR70b

— U.S. Army Europe and Africa (@USArmyEURAF) April 1, 2025

"The team and their dog started searching early this morning, and they're going to bring the team out again later this afternoon to continue searching. Again, we appreciate Estonia and their partnership in this whole effort to bring our Soldier home."

The PPA and their service dogs have previous experience working on Lithuania's eastern border.

Officers patrolled the area during the NATO Vilnius Summit in 2023. In 2021, several teams assisted the Lithuanian border guard during the initial stages of Belarus' hybrid attack, when thousands of migrants were crossing the border into the EU.

Fourth U.S. Soldier found deceased

On Tuesday afternoon, the U.S. Army Europe and Africa announced the fourth missing soldier had been found deceased near Pabrade.

"This past week has been devastating," said Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, 3rd Inf. Div. commanding general. "Though we have received some closure, the world is darker without them."  

Gen. Christopher Donahue, commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, thanked allies for their help with the search.

"I can't say enough about the support our Lithuanian Allies have provided us. We have leaned on them, and they, alongside our Polish and Estonian Allies - and our own Sailors, Airmen and experts from the Corps of Engineers - have enabled us to find and bring home our Soldiers," he said in a statement.

"This is a tragic event, but it reinforces what it means to have Allies and friends," the general added.

The U.S. Army is investigating the cause of the accident. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available. 

This article was updated to add confirmation of the death of the fourth soldier and a photo gallery of the PPA in Lithuania.

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