'When I moved to the war zone I knew this could happen': Former AC Milan and Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko reveals he came within 'two kilometres' of being hit by a Russian drone strike during a recent visit to Kyiv to meet president Volodymyr Zelensky

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Former Chelsea and AC MIlan striker Andriy Shevchenko has revealed he came within kilometres of a drone strike during a recent visit to Kyiv.

The 46-year-old, who is Ukraine's all-time record scorer, was in the capital to visit President Volodymyr Zelensky when he came close enough to an explosion that he could feel it 'very strongly'.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Shevechnko said he was: 'About 2km from the strike. One of the electric central generators (was hit) like we all know the Russians are trying to hit the critical infrastructure. The feeling (from the explosion) was very strong.'

Andriy Shevchenko has revealed he came within two kilometres of a drone strike

It came during a recent visit to Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky

The former striker showed impressive stoicism when asked if the experience had frightened him, replying: 'When I move to the war zone I know this could happen.'

He also seemed upbeat about the mood in Ukraine, as he explained: 'It is an incredible feeling when you go there. The people are suffering but they are very united. We know what we have to do, we know how to survive, we know we have to be united together.

'When the electricity comes back in some places, you call your friends and invite them to the house, take a shower, share some food. This is what the people do, just co-operate to try to help each other.

He continued: 'The spirit is incredible, even in such a difficult situation. People collaborate. I think there is a strength in Ukraine, an unbreakable mind. We don't have any choice.

Shevchenko (left) spoke of the 'incredible spirit' and 'unbreakable minds' among Ukrainians

'For us, the last choice is to just give up and then everything is finished for Ukraine. We have a very clear objective - we are fighting for our land, for our future and this is a really united people.'

Shevchenko was in Ukraine to launch a project in aid of Ukraine, as he explained: 'While I was there, there was a Zoom call between the US ambassador and (world boxing champion Oleksandr) Usyk was there too, and we were discussing how in this situation we can help the Ukrainian people.

'We start this new project now to raise funds for the people who need electric generators. The most important is the critical infrastructure like hospitals, field hospitals, operations for children, for soldiers, to give them all the chance to save the lives of the people.'