Russian and Syrian military forces have been bombarding Aleppo since the collapse of the week-old ceasefire in September 2016. Air strikes on the city destroyed the largest hospital in the city occupied by the rebels and cut off civilians from the humanitarian aid. At the Monday's press conference held in Moscow, the Russian Defense Ministry Sergei Rudskoy informed about a suspension of hostilities in the Syrian city of Aleppo. Humanitarian pause is going to be introduced on Thursday and will last for eight hours, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

During this specific period of time Russian and Syrian forces will halt the assault so that civilians and rebels will be able to leave the city without the fear of getting caught in the crossfire. It will also allow aid workers to move into Aleppo and deliver humanitarian assistance to all victims.

Any pause would be very much welcome, yet humanitarian organizations need a longer period of time in order to enable aid convoy to get into the city, the United Nations spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Monday. UN called for at lest 48 hours of humanitarian pause in the fighting.

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