Four US soldiers feared dead near Belarus border in mystery tragedy

Four US  soldiers in Lithuania are feared dead after going missing during a training mission. A major search operation was launched after the tracked vehicle they were travelling in disappeared at around 4.45pm yesterday.

Speaking to reporters while visiting Warsaw, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said: "Whilst I was speaking the news came out about four American soldiers who were killed in an incident in Lithuania," as he confirmed he had no further details. The search, involving Lithuanian and US assets, has identified a “possible location” of where they are believed to have disappeared.

NATO then later clarified that they are unable to confirm whether the soldiers have died: "On the 4 US soldiers missing in a military exercise in Lithuania, the search is ongoing. We regret any confusion about remarks.

"Secretary General Mark Rutte delivered on this today. He was referring to emerging news reports & was not confirming the fate of the missing, which is still unknown."

Their vehicle was discovered submerged in water.

The US army said: "The soldiers, all from 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, were conducting scheduled tactical training at the time of the incident.

"The M88 Hercules armoured recovery vehicle the four missing U.S. Soldiers were operating during a training exercise, has been located in Lithuania."

Helicopters from the Air Force and State Border Guard Service have been deployed to locate the missing soldiers.

The troops were on an exercise at the General Silvestras Žukauskas training ground in Pabradė, Lithuania at the time of their disappearance.

Today the Lithuanian Armed Forces said: “Currently, the possible location of the incident has been identified and a search and rescue operation is underway, led by the Lithuanian Armed Forces, with additional capabilities from the Fire Protection and Rescue Department and other institutions.”

It has been reported that the troops were travelling in an M88 recovery vehicle when they went missing, although this has not been confirmed.

According to the US Military, the soldiers belong to the 1st Brigade of the 3rd Infantry Division and were participating in "scheduled tactical training at the time of the incident".

V Corps Commanding General Charles Constanza praised the work of the Lithuanians in responding to the disappearance.

He said: “I would like to personally thank the Lithuanian Armed Forces and first responders who quickly came to our aid in our search operations.

"It's this kind of teamwork and support that exemplifies the importance of our partnership and our humanity regardless of what flags we wear on our shoulders."

Major Gintautas Ciunis, spokesman for the Lithuanian Armed Forces confirmed to local media that the missing soldiers were "foreign" but did not disclose further details.

Local police have been informed and are working to clarify the circumstances surrounding the missing soldiers.

Chairman of the parliamentary Committee on National Security and Defence, Giedrimas Jeglinskas said: “There is a request from the military and the forces that were conducting the drills to exercise discretion at this time and not to make any comments.

"Le'ts be respectful.The police and all the elements that have to be involved are involved, these investigations are involved."