The head of the Pentagon: the downed Chinese balloon was watching US strategic facilities

The high-altitude reconnaissance balloon was used by China to attempt to observe strategic targets in the continental United States. This is stated in a statement by the head of the Pentagon, Lloyd Austin.

The United States Secretary of Defense confirmed that US fighter jets successfully shot down the balloon off the coast of South Carolina. The defense department specified that they received permission to destroy the balloon from President Biden on Wednesday. But after careful analysis, the command then determined that the destruction of the ball, due to its size and the size of the payload, would pose a danger to people. Several options for the safe elimination of the ball were developed, one of which was implemented.

The first news about the high-altitude observation balloon appeared on Wednesday. According to the US Department of Defense, he flew over the Aleutian Islands and the territory of Canada before entering the atmosphere over the northern states of the United States.

The Pentagon immediately declared that the ball belonged to China. The Chinese Foreign Ministry first called for an end to speculation on information about the appearance of an alleged Chinese balloon over the United States until all the circumstances were clarified. Then the Foreign Ministry admitted that the balloon was indeed Chinese. They specified that the balloon was used for scientific research, and ended up over the United States because it deviated from the route due to the wind. It is known that during Saturday the balloon approached the US air base in Missouri. This is the location of all 20 B-2 Spirit strategic bombers in service with the US Air Force.