Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for a "strong response" from international partners to North Korea's involvement in Russia's war against Ukraine, citing evidence that Pyongyang has begun sending troops.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin arrived in Kyiv on an unannounced visit Monday, hours after a Russian drone attack on the Ukrainian capital and as Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pushes Western partners to keep providing military support for the war.

Eighteen North Korean soldiers were caught by Russian forces in the Komarichsky district of Bryansk Oblast. Read also: Zelenskyy urges allies to counter North Korea's entry into war against Ukraine Around 40 North Korean military instructors were present with about fifty Russian soldiers in a wooded area near Kolyachki in Kursk Oblast's

Ukraine retains control over parts of Russia's western border region after the October deadline set by president Putin for his military expired.

Video footage and documents revealed recently corroborate claims that North Korea has been deploying its troops to assist Russia in the ongoing war against Ukraine.