Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday that Ukraine is showing no urgency in pursuing peace and warned that if Kyiv does not seek a negotiated resolution, Moscow will pursue its objectives by force.

Putin’s remarks, reported by Russia’s state news agency TASS, came after a large-scale Russian drone and missile attack on Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the assault demonstrated Russia’s determination to continue the war, while reiterating that Ukraine is seeking peace.

Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida on Sunday as part of efforts to explore possible pathways toward ending the conflict, which began nearly four years ago with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Putin’s statements.

According to the Kremlin, Russian military commanders reported during an inspection visit that Russian forces had captured the towns of Myrnohrad, Rodynske, and Artemivka in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, as well as Huliaipole and Stepnohirsk in the Zaporizhzhia region. The claims were shared via the Kremlin’s official Telegram channel.

Ukraine’s military disputed parts of Russia’s account, calling claims of control over Huliaipole and Myrnohrad false. In a statement posted on social media, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said the situation in both areas remains difficult but that Ukrainian forces continue defensive operations.

Ukraine’s Southern Command said in a separate Telegram post that “fierce fighting” is ongoing in Huliaipole, adding that Ukrainian defense forces still hold a substantial portion of the town.

Independent verification of battlefield claims remains challenging due to restricted access, limited information from both sides, and rapidly shifting front lines. Media outlets typically rely on satellite imagery and geolocated footage, which can be incomplete or delayed.