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The US and China have clashed over flying objects suspected to have been used as intelligence tools to spy on rival nations. 

Earlier today (Monday 13 February), China's Foreign Ministry accused the US of “illegally” flying 10 high-altitude balloons into its airspace over the last year. 

At a news conference today, Chinese ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin claimed it is “common for US balloons to illegally enter other countries’ airspace.”

The US has rejected this accusation and described the claim as an attempt at damage control, after US President Joe Biden gave the order to shoot down a Chinese balloon flying over US airspace on 4 February.

The White House declared that the balloon was equipped to detect and collect intelligence signals as part of a huge, military-linked aerial surveillance programme that targeted more than 40 countries, citing imagery from American U-2 spy planes.

In response to the incident, the US has placed economic restrictions...

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  • Does anyone know where these are being launched from?  I imagine it will be from 'ships' as land is to far away and would give varying trajectories that the balloon would take.  Anyone monitoring for ships in the localities of the the balloon paths?

  • in reply to Ray Butchart

    Good question  Given the size of the Pacific I would expect any balloons to have been launched from a nearby ship! However Alaska is indeed closer to Russia than many realize (didn't someone walk over the ice fields from Alaska to Russia once?) 

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  • in reply to Ray Butchart

    Good question  Given the size of the Pacific I would expect any balloons to have been launched from a nearby ship! However Alaska is indeed closer to Russia than many realize (didn't someone walk over the ice fields from Alaska to Russia once?) 

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