They publish a photo of the bubble that caused the crisis on the US-China line

The US Department of Defense (Pentagon) shared a close-up photo of the Chinese high-altitude balloon that was hit on February 4.

The Pentagon released photos 20 days later, taken by the U-2 fighter pilot the day before the balloon was shot down. Photographs taken from the plane’s cockpit showed the balloon before it was struck, off the coast of South Carolina.

In images taken from the top level of the balloon, the pilot’s helmet, the interior of the cockpit and the wing of the plane were also included in the frame. The US Northern Command (NORTHCOM) announced that the remains of the Chinese high-altitude balloon, which was shot down off the coast of South Carolina on February 4, have been removed from the sea and taken to the laboratory of the Federal Office of of Investigations (FBI). for examination.

China’s high-altitude balloon, which was detected over the state of Montana, where US nuclear weapons are located, shortly after entering US airspace, sparked a diplomatic crisis between Washington and Beijing.

The balloon was launched by a US Air Force F-22 off the coast of South Carolina on February 4. Following this operation, the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, postponed his visit to Beijing.

China claims the balloon was not used for military or intelligence purposes, conducted meteorological surveys and drifted into US airspace. The US Department of Defense claims the balloon has maneuverability and intelligence-gathering capabilities. (AA)