On January 5, the Russian military reported that Ukraine initiated a counterattack in the Kursk region, which has been partially under Ukrainian control since an August 2024 offensive. Ukrainian presidential administration chief Andriï Iermak hinted at positive developments, while Ukrainian security official Andriï Kovalenko noted the surprise element in the attacks. President Volodymyr Zelensky recently emphasized the need for Ukraine to prepare for both battlefield and negotiation efforts in 2025, amid ongoing discussions of potential peace talks, particularly in light of new North Korean military support for Russia.