WIESBADEN, Germany () — We’re learning more about four local soldiers missing near Lithuania’s border near Belarus. There are a lot of questions right now about what happened to them.

Wednesday news broke that U.S. soldiers had died in Lithuania but that has since changed to them disappearing during a training exercise.

NATO has issued a clarification regarding the four U.S. soldiers who were reported missing during a training exercise in Lithuania. The soldiers – all from Fort Stewart’s all from 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division – have been missing since Tuesday.

Yesterday afternoon, the NATO secretary general said that the soldiers were killed. Later in the day, a NATO spokesperson walked back those comments, saying that the secretary-general was referring to recent news reports and did not confirm the death of those soldiers.

“The search is ongoing,” NATO said in a statement posted on X. “We regret any confusion about remarks @SecGenNATO delivered on this today. He was referring to emerging news reports & was not confirming the fate of the missing, which is still unknown.”

Army officials in Europe and Africa also said they couldn’t confirm the soldier’s status. We know that their armored vehicle was found submerged in a body of water. Still – several elected officials operating based on the secretary generals’ comments – weighed in on social media about the incident.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said, “Marty, the girls, and I join the entire nation and their families in mourning the loss of 4 service members who made the ultimate sacrifice while stationed abroad.”

Meanwhile… Representative Buddy Carter offered more general comments saying,
“Please join me in prayers for the 3rd ID soldiers missing in Lithuania. As we await more information, our love and support goes out to all those impacted by this tragic situation.

According to the U.S. Army Europe and Africa – authorities are still searching for the missing soldiers.

Lithuanian public broadcaster LRT reported that the soldiers went missing in a training exercise in Pabradė, a town located less than 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the border with Belarus.

The Defence Minister of Lithuania, Dovilė Šakalienė, posted on X this morning, “Search & rescue of missing soldiers is ongoing. Our armed forces & rescue services are working around the clock. This accident is incredibly difficult & painful for us. Our hearts are with the soldiers, their families & friends. Thank you to the US Ambassador Kara C. McDonald for standing with us. While the rescue efforts continue, we stand with the US troops. Our bond remains strong even in the hardest times.”

In the meantime – we are working to learn more about their identities