The efforts resumed Friday as Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda expressed hope for a positive outcome amid adverse conditions. The soldiers from the First Brigade, Third Infantry Division have been missing since their vehicle, an M88 Hercules, disappeared on Tuesday.
The vehicle was located submerged in a waterlogged area near Pabrade, which lies close to the Belarus border. Rescue teams face significant challenges due to deep mud and surrounding water from a nearby lake. Reports suggest that the vehicle deviated off its designated path into marshlands, and witness accounts indicate that it sank swiftly.
Despite skepticism surrounding the rescue, President Nauseda emphasized the importance of hope. "I am still hoping for a miracle," he stated during his site visit on Friday. The U.S. ambassador to Lithuania, Kara C. McDonald, joined the president in raising awareness about the ongoing recovery efforts. The military operation is a reminder of the volatility in the region, especially given Belarus' alignment with Russia amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
The vehicle was located submerged in a waterlogged area near Pabrade, which lies close to the Belarus border. Rescue teams face significant challenges due to deep mud and surrounding water from a nearby lake. Reports suggest that the vehicle deviated off its designated path into marshlands, and witness accounts indicate that it sank swiftly.
Despite skepticism surrounding the rescue, President Nauseda emphasized the importance of hope. "I am still hoping for a miracle," he stated during his site visit on Friday. The U.S. ambassador to Lithuania, Kara C. McDonald, joined the president in raising awareness about the ongoing recovery efforts. The military operation is a reminder of the volatility in the region, especially given Belarus' alignment with Russia amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
