“Big Step” in the search for American soldiers in Lithuania. They attached a steel rope

On Sunday afternoon, divers managed to attach a steel rope to the Hercules armored vehicle in the swamp, which was moved by four American soldiers, missing on Tuesday at the Lithuanian training ground in Podbrodzie. There is talk of a “big step” in the ongoing action.

“This is a big step forward in the search and rescue campaign that has been ongoing for five days,” said the commander of the Lithuanian army, General Raimundas Vayrzznoras. He added, however, that “one rope is not enough”. “Two are needed, but the first rope means that we are not standing still.” It took about five hours of work in the dark to attach the rope. According to recent estimates, the vehicle is about four meters below the water surface and under a two -meter layer of mud.

– Starting the next rope will take at least the same time as the first, and maybe even more – told journalists the Chief of Defense Staff Remigijus Baltrenas.

Four American soldiers disappeared on Tuesday during exercise at the training ground in Podbrodzie, about 15-20 kilometers away from the Lithuanian border with Belarus. Lithuanian and foreign military were sent to the search and rescue operation, as well as the helicopters of the Air Force and the State Border Guard of Lithuania.

Poles help in Lithuania

30 Polish soldiers with heavy equipment and divers went to Lithuania, to help find the missing There, American soldiers and the extraction of their combat vehicle.

About 1,000 American soldiers, forming two battalions, are stationed at the training ground in Podbrade (Pabrade). They have been present since 2019 on the principles of rotation, mainly as part of armored brigades.