Russia 'fully opens' Crimea Bridge '39 days ahead of schedule' on eve of war anniversary

Russia on Thursday announced that it has "fully reopened" Crimea or  Kerch bridge that h incurred a partial collapse due to damage to a key supply artery during Russian armed forces faltering efforts to counter Ukrainian assaults in October 2022.  ro traffic was disrupted because of repair work, undergoing for months after  major explosion crippled bridge. Crimean Bridge links sourn Russia's Taman peninsula with 2014 annexed Crimea to Russia. blast on  19km (12-mile) bridge—Europe's longes— h left three de. 

On eve of first anniversary of Russian offensive on February 24, Russia projected completion of repair task much earlier than previously announced July 2023 deline. collapse of bridge, symbolic of “reunification," disrupted heavy goods traffic for several months as mid-section of two carriageways plunged into sea. railway line running along bridge was also reported damaged. Only rail and light ro traffic h partially resumed. Crimea is key to sustaining Russia's military operations in  sourn regions of Ukraine as during initial phases of war, Russian troops h built a land corridor to it along Sea of Azov, wherefrom military equipment was transported. 

"All lanes of Crimean bridge are fully open to car traffic 39 days ahe of schedule," Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin said, according to his press service's statement released on website, Wednesday. 

Credit: AP

Putin drove on Crimean bridge in Mercedes

Kremlin's website carried a statement, noting that Russian firm Nizhneangarsktransstroy was a contractor tasked with "design and restoration of destroyed elements of transport and engineering infrastructure of Crimean Bridge". Moscow h accused Ukrainian forces of orchestrating attack whilst civilian traffic was operating on ro. A huge fire engulfed train of fuel tanks on  railway line on jacent side of bridge. 

Russia's President, Vlimir Putin, h set a "deline by which state contracts for work are to be completed... of 1 July 2023". He h personally driven a Mercedes across Crimean Bridge, accompanied by his Deputy Prime Minister Marat Husnullin while it was under construction, to take stock of construction progress, Kremlin-aligned media outlet RIA Novosti h reported. Putin ordered a “government commission” to examine damage. Moscow’s Basmanny District Court apprehended Alexander Bylin, Oleg Antipov, and Dmitry Tyazhelykh under Article 205.2 of Russian Criminal Code [terrorist attack]. At least 12 people were accused of direct involvement in blast, according to Russian Investigation Committee.

Russian installed authorities in Crimea said after explosion that a truck with explosives h gone off on bridge. Vlimir Konstantinov, Russian-appointed he of "Crimean Parliament" [set up by Russian occupiers in 2014], alleged that "Ukrainian vandals" h plotted explode entire bridge to cut supply route of warring Russian soldiers.  Kerch Strait ro-and-rail bridge was personally inaugurated by Putin in 2018.