On January 5, 2025, reports from Kyiv indicate that Russia has captured approximately 3,600 square kilometers (1,390 square miles) of Ukrainian territory over the past year. This area is comparable in size to the Mediterranean island of Mallorca or Long Island in New York. November was particularly devastating for Ukraine, with losses amounting to 610 square kilometers, as Russian forces reportedly advanced by about 20 square kilometers daily. The reported territorial losses for 2024 are said to be significantly higher than those in 2023, although these figures remain unconfirmed.
In a separate development, Ukrainian troops have launched an offensive in the Kursk region, according to both Russian and Ukrainian sources. The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that a counterattack was initiated by Ukrainian forces around 9:00 AM Moscow time, involving two tanks, an armored vehicle, and twelve infantry fighting vehicles. The head of the Ukrainian presidential administration, Andriy Yermak, confirmed the offensive, stating that the Russians are facing consequences for their actions.
Despite Russian military claims that they successfully repelled all Ukrainian attacks and destroyed nearly all vehicles involved, some pro-Russian military bloggers suggest that the Ukrainian forces achieved tactical successes due to the element of surprise. Unverified reports indicate that the Ukrainian offensive originated from Sudscha along the strategic R200 road, with Ukrainian units reportedly taking control of the village of Berdin, marking a five-kilometer advance into Russian-held territory. Additionally, Ukrainian forces are believed to have deployed new electronic jamming equipment to disrupt the operations of Russian drones.