This blog is now closed, thanks for joining us. These were the updates on the Russia-Ukraine war on Tuesday, July 18.
- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has asked permission from the International Criminal Court not to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin as he visits the country next month.
- Russia’s defence ministry says all targets were hit in overnight air attacks on Ukraine’s Odesa and Mykolaiv ports, describing them as a “mass revenge strike” for an assault on the Crimean bridge.
- Ukrainian officials say the country’s forces downed 32 drones and six missiles during the wave of attacks.
- Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin says the Crimean bridge, which was hit on Monday, would be completely repaired by November 1.
- Washington says it will work with other countries to ensure the movement of grain out of Ukraine’s Black Sea ports after Russia pulled out of the deal.