Russia has intensified drone and missile attacks on Ukraine in recent weeks, hitting energy sites around major cities in what Kyiv says is a bid to plunge the country into cold and darkness throughout the winter.
The Kremlin earlier this week vowed not to let up in the overall pace of the war even as the sides prepare to restart stalled talks under US mediation.
Zelenskyy said on Wednesday it would be a “huge success” if the local ceasefire in Oleshky – brokered by US First Lady Melania Trump – allowed for the evacuation of stranded citizens.
Locals caught there have resorted to hunting and eating pigeons in recent months, former residents in touch with those in the city told AFP.
Russia and Ukraine are to meet next month with US envoys to discuss ways to end Europe’s worst conflict since World War II, with no firm dates set for the talks yet.
Several previous rounds have failed to move the sides closer to a deal.
Russia demands more territory in eastern Ukraine and sweeping military and political restrictions on Kyiv.
Ukraine and its allies say ceding ground to Moscow would be tantamount to a capitulation and leave Kyiv vulnerable to future Russian attacks.
