Lithuanian and foreign troops, along with helicopters from the air force and the state border guard service, were deployed to search for the missing soldiers.

A "rescue operation is intensively ongoing," Lithuanian army said on X, adding: "At the moment, there is no evidence or information confirming the death of the troops."

The incident occurred during a military drill on a training ground in eastern Lithuania.

"People (are) working round the clock. Everybody remains on standby, ready to provide emergency medical support," Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovile Sakaliene said on X.

Lithuanian authorities received a report about the soldiers' disappearance on Tuesday afternoon.

"A possible scene has now been identified," the Lithuanian military said in a statement earlier on Wednesday.

US Army Europe and Africa's public affairs office confirmed in its statement that the soldiers "were conducting scheduled tactical training at the time of the incident".

"I would like to personally thank the Lithuanian armed forces and first responders who quickly came to our aid in our search operations," said Lieutenant General Charles Costanza, the V Corps commanding general.

Lithuania, a NATO and EU member, hosts more than 1,000 American troops, who are stationed on a rotational basis.