Here's what happened:
* The U-2 Mission: Powers was tasked with flying a high-altitude reconnaissance mission over the Soviet Union, gathering intelligence on their military capabilities. The U-2 was designed to fly at extremely high altitudes, making it difficult for Soviet radar and fighter jets to detect.
* The Shootdown: However, Powers' U-2 was shot down by a Soviet SA-2 surface-to-air missile near Sverdlovsk. Powers ejected and landed safely, but he was captured by Soviet authorities.
* The International Incident: The incident caused a major international crisis. The U.S. initially denied that the plane was a spy plane, but the truth eventually came out. The incident led to a breakdown in relations between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, just weeks before the scheduled summit meeting between President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev.
* Powers' Capture and Release: Powers was imprisoned by the Soviets and tried for espionage. He was convicted and sentenced to three years in prison. In 1962, he was released as part of a prisoner exchange for Soviet spy Rudolf Abel.
* Legacy: The U-2 incident became a significant event in the Cold War, highlighting the tension and mistrust between the superpowers. Powers' story became a symbol of the dangers of espionage and the risks faced by those involved in such activities.
It's important to note that the U-2 incident had a significant impact on the Cold War and contributed to the mistrust between the United States and the Soviet Union.