US Releases Pilot's High-Altitude Photo With Chinese Balloon

The current diplomatic row between Washington and China was prompted by President Joe Biden's directive to shoot down what the US has subsequently referred to as a "sophisticated high-altitude espionage vehicle." The day before it was shot down, the US Defense Department published a high-altitude cockpit selfie of a U-2 spy plane pilot flying above a purported Chinese observation balloon. The current diplomatic row between Washington and China was prompted by President Joe Biden's directive to shoot down what the US has subsequently referred to as a "sophisticated high-altitude espionage vehicle." Both nations have now levelled espionage accusations against one another, with China claiming that the balloon was an errant weather observation aircraft with no military intent. The Chinese balloon can be seen hovering above the centre United States in the picture provided by the Military on Wednesday.United States on February 3, as seen by the pilot of a U-2 espionage plane. The pilot's helmet can be seen out in the front, and the white balloon can be made out flying over the expanse with its solar panels visible beneath. The device was destroyed the next day off the coast of South Carolina by an F-22 fighter jet, which the Military described as a "violation of American sovereignty" for its prolonged flight over US land. At a news conference on Wednesday, Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh confirmed the photograph's veracity. The image initially appeared on the aviation enthusiast website "Dragon Lady Today." The "Dragon Lady"-themed U-2 aircraft is where the "selfie" was taken, and all of the major news organisations shared it. Earlier this month, it was reported.The Pentagon and NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) have both referred to the pilot selfie as having "already attained legendary status." The U-2 reconnaissance aircraft can fly over 60,000 feet, which is the stated altitude of the Chinese balloon when it went over the US. The U-2 was created in the 1950s to spy on the Soviet Union at great altitude.