A reconnaissance balloon from China hovers over the US state of Montana. Apparently he’s supposed to be scouting out military bases. However, the aircraft should not be shot down. It is said that the danger from falling debris is too great.
The US military has spotted a Chinese spy balloon over northern US. The Pentagon announced on Thursday that the balloon was spotted over the state of Montana in the north-west of the United States. The trajectory of the balloon is followed closely. It is still over the United States, it said.
After the discovery of the balloon, the government took immediate action to prevent the disclosure of sensitive information, Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder said. US President Joe Biden reportedly ordered a possible shooting down to be examined. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and top military officials ultimately decided against it because shooting down would endanger too many people on the ground from falling debris.
Apparently, the balloon was designed to spy on highly sensitive US nuclear weapons bases, said another US official who asked to remain anonymous. “The aim of the balloon is clearly espionage.” However, one assumes that there is no particularly high risk that important things will be spied on.
The Pentagon is certain that the balloon came from China. Similar incidents have happened in the past. The difference this time is that the balloon stays longer than usual over the United States. The balloon poses no military threat or danger to people on the ground, Ryder said. The balloon is also said to be harmless to aircraft due to its high flight altitude. The US is in contact with China about the incident.
