Russia slammed Ukraine for staging punitive operation in its southeastern regions on Friday, saying that would wipe out all hope for the viability of Geneva agreements.

"During a visit to Minsk, (President Vladimir) Putin called such a possible operation criminal ... Regrettably, the ongoing events have fully confirmed this assessment," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, as Ukrainian forces were trying to retake government buildings occupied by pro-Russia activists in eastern cities.