- Validation now requires new StatefulSets with a `.spec.serviceName` field value to pass DNS1123 validation. Previously created StatefulSets with an invalid `.spec.serviceName` field value could not create any pods, and should be deleted.

- `kube-controller-manager`: Fixed a `v1.34` regression that triggered a spurious rollout of existing StatefulSets when upgrading the control plane from `v1.33` to `v1.34`. This fix is guarded by the `StatefulSetSemanticRevisionComparison` feature gate, which is enabled by default. ([#135017](https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/pull/135017), [@liggitt...

- Kubernetes was built with Go 1.23.2. ([#128110](https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/pull/128110), [@haitch](https://github.com/haitch)) [SIG Release and Testing]
- Label `apps.kubernetes.io/pod-index` added to Pod from StatefulSets is promoted to stable

- Kube-controller-manager: Fixes a 1.34 regression, which triggered a spurious rollout of existing statefulsets when upgrading the control plane from 1.33 → 1.34. This fix is guarded by a `StatefulSetSemanticRevisionComparison` feature gate, which is enabled by default. ([#135087](https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/pull/135087), [@liggitt](https:/...