As reported, the ball was shot down over the Atlantic coast of the state of South Carolina.

Now there is an operation to collect the debris.

Before reaching South Carolina, the balloon spent several days over the state of Montana, where, in particular, a number of important strategic objects are located.

The media began actively reporting on the ball on Friday.

Joe Biden's administration called the actions of China, which sent the ball into US airspace, unacceptable.

A number of Biden's opponents, including former President Donald Trump, have called for the balloon to be brought down immediately, but the military has reportedly opposed bringing it down over land, fearing the debris could pose a threat to the safety of people and ground facilities.

The ball flew at an altitude of more than 15,000 meters and was the size of three school buses.

On Saturday, when it became clear that the balloon was heading toward the ocean, President Biden told reporters that the administration would "take care of it."

The balloon was shot down by an F-22 fighter.

Debris fell into the water.

Before the operation, three airports in the states of North and South Carolina were closed for flights.

US authorities believe the balloon was launched from China for intelligence purposes.

As a result of the incident, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken's visit to Beijing, scheduled for Sunday, was postponed.

The Chinese authorities, however, insist that the date of the visit was not officially announced, which means that it cannot be said that it failed.

China insists that it was a scientific apparatus that went off course.

The Pentagon says it does not believe this explanation, pointing, among other things, to the fact that a second similar ball has been seen over Latin America.

Spy balloons have flown over the United States several times in recent years, but this one appears to be lingering longer than previous ones, the military said.