Russia's defense ministry has announced that the suspension of air strikes on Aleppo, set to end on Thursday, would be extended by another day.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said in a statement that Syrian authorities have also agreed to the extension. The move aims to give civilians and armed rebels more time to leave the city.

Earlier, the UN said it had received a pledge from Moscow to extend the suspension of bombings for 11 hours a day for a further four days.