US Fighters Monitor “Mysterious” Balloon of Chinese Origin Over US Mainland

At a glance

• Spotters noticed a balloon over the Aleutian Islands in Alaska.
• The balloon flew south over Canada and the US mainland.
• US military jets, including F-22s, were readied in response.
• US top military officials ruled out “kinetic action” against the balloon.
• The balloon is believed to be of Chinese origin.
• Governor Greg Gianforte labelled the balloon “deeply troubling”.
• US officials stated the balloon does not pose a threat to civilian aviation.
• Chinese officials have not commented yet.

The details

Spotters first noticed the balloon over the Aleutian Islands in Alaska.

The balloon flew south over Canada and on to the US mainland.

US military jets, including F-22s, were readied for action in response.

US top military officials ruled out “kinetic action” against the balloon to avoid possible debris affecting people on the ground. However, they have deployed fighter jets to monitor the balloon.

Governor Greg Gianforte labelled the balloon, believed to be of Chinese origin, as “deeply troubling”.

US officials have stated that they do not pose a threat to civilian aviation.

Chinese officials have yet to comment

Chinese officials have yet to comment, but the balloon and its implications are expected to come up during US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s China summit later this week with President Xi Jinping.