President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on January 5, 2026, that Russia's army size stopped increasing in 2025 for the first time, as monthly mobilization of 43,000 contract soldiers matched losses, according to INSIDER UA citing a PolymarketIntel post reported in the past 30 minutes ending 10:45 a.m. UTC. Zelenskyy said Russians lack successful operations and predicted Putin would resort to mobilization if needed, noting his nation currently disrespects it and relies on contracts, as quoted by INSIDER UA from the PolymarketIntel source during this period from 10:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. UTC. Separately, Ukraine faces temperatures dropping to minus 22 degrees Celsius by week's end, coldest in the north and northeast, according to UNIAN as reported by INSIDER UA in the same 29-minute window.
