Russia has said it's extending the so-called 'humanitarian pause' in Aleppo by three hours to 1900 local time on Thursday, October 20th. Army officials say Russian and Syrian planes will maintain a distance of 10 kilometres from the city during the period.

However, the United Nations dashed any hope the pause would allow aid to reach besieged civilians, saying all sides needed to back an extended ceasefire -- of at least 48 hours -- before humanitarian convoys could move in.