“This is a big step forward in the search and rescue operation lasting for five days ” – assessed the commander of the Lithuanian army, Gen. Raimundas GaSznoras. He added, however, that the use of “one rope is not enough”.
“Two are needed, but the first rope means that we are not standing still” – wrote VaySznoras on Facebook.
Searching for soldiers in Lithuania. Lver hours of divers
The rope was attached to the divers around Five hours of work in the dark.
According to recent estimates The vehicle is located 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.
The disappearance of American sold. Search is underway
Four American soldiers were lost on Tuesday during exercise at the training ground in Podbrodzieabout 15-20 km 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.
Deputy Prime Minister, head of the Ministry of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz On Thursday, he announced that a task group consisting of several dozen soldiers with heavy equipment and divers, in urgent mode he sets off from Poland to Lithuania, to help find American soldiers lost there and bring out their combat vehicle.
The works are carried out in swampy terrain. About 1,000 American soldiers forming two battalions are stationed at the training ground in Podbrade (lit. Pabrade). They have been present there since 2019 on the principles of rotation, mainly as part of armored brigades.
Lithuania. President: I count on a miracle
He appeared on the training ground on Friday President of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda. “Although many skeptics would probably say that in these circumstances there is nothing to count on, I want to believe,” he said, adding that “He counts on a miracle.”
In the Vilnius cathedral, she was celebrated on Sunday Mass for missing soldiers and their loved ones, as well as soldiers and rescuers. The liturgy was chaired by the Vilnius Metropolitan Archbishop Gintaras Gruszas.
In the first media reports, without official confirmation, it was reported that the soldiers were dead. Information about death They were denied, among others by NATO and the Lithuanian Minister of Defense.