The Ukrainian army said it would do everything possible to assist the residents of Oleshky and make every effort to ensure their safety and rescue. (EPA Images pic)KYIV: A truce between Ukraine and Russia aimed at allowing humanitarian aid into the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky was set to enter into force early Tuesday, having been announced by US First Lady Melania Trump last week.

Both sides said earlier they would observe the truce starting at 3:00 am local time (0100 GMT).

The war-ravaged city in Ukraine's southern Kherson region has been caught in the crosshairs of fighting between the two sides since 2022, when it was seized by Russian forces at the start of their invasion.

Former residents told AFP earlier this year that those remaining in the city were starving, lacked medicine and could not easily leave.