NATO Retracts U.S. Soldiers' Deaths in Lithuania

NATO retracted earlier statements by Secretary-General Mark Rutte that four U.S. soldiers had died during a training exercise in Lithuania. The soldiers from the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division were found in their M88 Hercules armored vehicle submerged in a peat bog near Pabradė, close to the Belarus border. Recovery efforts by U.S. and Lithuanian forces, alongside civilian agencies, are ongoing, with water pumping and ground reinforcement underway. Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas and Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė have expressed solidarity and commitment to the rescue operation. President Donald Trump stated he had not been briefed about the incident, which drew criticism given its severity. NATO clarified that Rutte's comments were based on emerging reports and not an official confirmation.