US officials reportedly had knowledge of additional Chinese spy balloons, apart from the one that flew over the United States in January and February.
According to The Washington Post, the intelligence community had concerns regarding the balloon even after it was shot down in the Atlantic Ocean, as it had sensors and antennas that were not recognized by the government over a week later.
The report was compiled based on documents allegedly leaked from a member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard, was arrested in connection with the leak on Thursday and charged with violating the Espionage Act.
The Post further stated that the balloon that was shot down was one of at least three that intelligence agencies are aware of. One of the other two flew over a US carrier strike group in the Pacific Ocean, while the third crashed in the South China Sea, according to a confidential document.
The document did not mention the dates when the balloons were launched.
Exclusive: Leaked secret documents detail up to four additional Chinese spy balloons https://t.co/YcR0CmLcrc
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) April 15, 2023
