While many were focused on the Chinese spy balloon that traversed the country earlier this month, it has not been the only object to invade North American airspace.

According to the Washington Examiner, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) mobilized planes on Saturday to shoot down an "unidentified flying object" over Canada. 

Canadian defense official tight-lipped

The Examiner cited a report from Canada's Global News which explained that Canadian Defense Minister Anita Anand refused to confirm whether the object in question was another Chinese balloon.

"I will not be speculating on the origins of this object this evening," Anand insisted. "It is far too early in our analysis of the debris as we are still collecting."

Major Olivier Gallant serves as a spokesperson for NORAD, and he was also quoted by Global News as saying that the organization will be sharing little in the way of details.

"While we cannot discuss specifics related to these activities at this time, please note that NORAD conducts sustained, dispersed operations in the defense of North America through one or all three NORAD regions," Gallant stated.

Prime minister confirms object was shot down by F-22

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed the incident in a tweet on Saturday, explaining that he had "ordered the take down of an unidentified object that violated Canadian airspace."

I ordered the take down of an unidentified object that violated Canadian airspace. @NORADCommand shot down the object over the Yukon. Canadian and U.S. aircraft were scrambled, and a U.S. F-22 successfully fired at the object.

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) February 11, 2023

Trudeau went on to say he had spoken with President Biden earlier in the afternoon and that Canadian military personnel would "recover and analyze the wreckage of the object." The prime minister concluded by expressing thanks to NORAD "for keeping the watch over North America."

Object shot down on Sunday over Lake Michigan

This would not be the last unknown object to be shot down over the weekend, as Fox News reported that yet another aerial incident took place on Sunday over Lake Michigan.

That move was praised in a tweet by Michigan Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin, who said, "Great work by all who carried out this mission both in the air and back at headquarters."

The object has been downed by pilots from the US Air Force and National Guard. Great work by all who carried out this mission both in the air and back at headquarters. We’re all interested in exactly what this object was and it’s purpose. 1/ https://t.co/LsjwtjntCv

— Rep. Elissa Slotkin (@RepSlotkin) February 12, 2023

Michigan Republican Rep. Jack Bergman also expressed praise for the pilots involved but complained that not enough information has been released, declaring, "The American people deserve far more answers than we have."

I’ve been in contact with DOD regarding operations across the Great Lakes region today.

The US military has decommissioned another “object” over Lake Huron.

I appreciate the decisive action by our fighter pilots.

The American people deserve far more answers than we have.

— Rep. Jack Bergman (@RepJackBergman) February 12, 2023