Drone nearly struck President Zelenskiy's plane

Officials said a drone nearly struck President Zelenskiy's plane on Thursday, a close call that Kyiv said raised the risk of wartime escalation.

Suspected Russian weapon cited

An official travelling with the president said they believed a Russian weapon was used, a claim that remains single-sourced in the initial reports. Officials did not provide technical details of the device or of the flight path involved.

Officials described the incident as a close call and said an investigation is under way. Kyiv has not disclosed whether the aircraft sustained damage or whether any defensive systems were deployed during the flight.

The episode underscores the direct hazards faced by senior officials while conflict persists, and could complicate Kyiv's diplomatic and security coordination with partners. Officials have not attributed responsibility beyond the on-board official's assessment.

Investigators remain at work; officials said they would provide an update within 48 hours. Analysts and diplomats will be watching whether the probe identifies the origin of the drone and whether allied governments respond with security measures or public statements.