Chinese balloon spotted over U.S. in ‘airstrike’ over Billings Montana
Explosion over Billings MontanaA Chinese spy balloon was caught on camera Friday flying over the region.
A mysterious video shows trails of smoke in the sky where the balloon was last spotted.
Dolly Moore, who took the video of the scene, said, “I saw the jets go by very quickly and then explode in the sky.”
Defense officials said the balloon did not explode over Montana, as the video went viral on social media.
The State Department said the balloon, which flew 60,000 feet over U.S. airspace, was a “clear violation” of U.S. sovereignty, but “because it was flying over many key locations, , will not be shot down.” .’
A video of the aftermath reveals trails of smoke in the sky where the balloon was when it flew over Billings, Montana on Friday.
A US defense official said the balloon was the size of several buses but did not pose an immediate threat to Americans.The balloon, photographed over Montana, was tracked for several days, but officials decided not to shoot it down for fear of debris.China claims it is a civilian airship used for weather research.
The balloon flew over the Aleutian Islands in the North Pacific, passed through Canadian airspace and entered the United States.
U.S. officials said the balloons were big enough that destroying them would rain debris and endanger the safety of people on the ground.
Analysts said the balloon could be “about the size of three buses” and carry high-tech equipment such as cameras, sensors and radar.
F-22 fighter jets mobilized to track the device As it passed over Montana, which borders Canada on Wednesday.
A US defense official said it entered US airspace “a few days ago,” but did not share its exact location.
However, Montana Senator Steve Daynes warned that the balloon may have been targeting the state’s nuclear missile base.
“Montana plays an important national security role by housing a nuclear missile silo at Malmstrom Air Force Base,” Danes wrote to the Pentagon.
“Considering the growing hostility and destabilization aimed at the United States and its allies around the world, we are amazed at the fact that this spy balloon was able to enter our airspace and the state of Montana.”
A US defense official said the balloon was the size of several buses but did not pose an immediate threat to Americans.
China’s foreign ministry said the balloon “deviated significantly from its planned route” and regretted that “the airship strayed into the United States due to force majeure”, claiming it was used for scientific research “including meteorology”. However, the Department of Defense disputed this.
The discovery of the balloon, which alerted the White House and the Pentagon, adds to a series of recent controversies that have further strained strained relations between China and the United States.
Beijing, which sought calm while establishing the “facts” before its statement Friday morning, said the balloon was a weather-research device that “deviated significantly from its planned course.”
China’s foreign ministry said it regretted that the balloon accidentally entered US airspace. Republican leaders and former President Donald Trump had called for a balloon showdown.
Shrinkage: Secretary of State Anthony Brinken told Beijing about his decision to postpone a trip to China on Friday morning over balloon problems
China’s surveillance balloon is estimated to be three buses wide. The balloon is fitted with solar panels that power onboard equipment such as long-range cameras and radar.It was flying at about 60,000 feet Friday afternoon, but the balloon can reach about twice that height.
Following balloon sighting, US canceled Secretary of State Anthony blinkenA long-awaited trip to China.
The trip was to feature a landmark meeting with China’s president Xi Jinpingthe traveling President Biden and Xi Jinping announced the visit at a key summit in Bali in November.
“We are aware and express China’s regret,” a senior State Department official said when announcing the decision on Friday.
“Again, the presence of this balloon in our airspace is clearly unacceptable and a clear violation of our sovereignty. , the visit was not constructive. Beijing At the moment. ‘
“We’ve ‘postponed’ our planned trip after spotting a suspected spy balloon over the United States,” Brinken said.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11712125/Explosion-sky-Billings-Montana-Chinese-balloon-spotted-U-S-airspace.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 Chinese balloon spotted over U.S. in ‘airstrike’ over Billings Montana
