The Pentagon has released an image of the Chinese spy balloon photographed from inside the cockpit of an American U-2 high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft. This was reported by the American media by publishing the photo.

It was reported that the spy balloon flew at an altitude of 18,200 meters. According to the Air Force, a U-2 aircraft can regularly operate at altitudes above 70,21 feet (<>,<> meters).

In the image you can see the upper part of the pilot's helmet with the Chinese spy aircraft under the wing of the US plane. The photo was taken on February 3 as the balloon "was flying over the central area of the United States," according to the Defense Department caption. The next day, an F-22 fighter jet launched an AIM-9X Sidewinder missile and shot down the spy aircraft.