The Kerch Strait connects the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, separating the Kerch Peninsula of Crimea in the west from the Taman Peninsula of Russia's Krasnodar Krai in the east. The most important harbor, the Crimean city of Kerch, gives its name to the strait, formerly known as the Cimmerian Bosporus.
He makes even his
detractors appreciate him.. .. Proud Vladimir
Putin took the wheel, leading by
personal example - a convoy of orange
trucks over Russian bridge linking it to annexed Crimea and boasts that he has
managed 'what the tsars could not'.. .. .. it is Europe's longest, most
controversial bridge between mainland Russia and Crimea, being officially opened.
MailOnline reports
with some breathtaking photos that Vladimir Putin has opened Europe's longest
and most controversial bridge, providing the first road connection between the
Russian mainland and the annexed Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea. Russian
President said he was confident people would love the Kerch Strait bridge,
after he led a convoy of trucks across it during the opening ceremony today. The
opening ceremony had seen a massive security effort spearheaded by the Russian
FSB security service, amid fears of attacks from Ukrainian nationalists.
Dramatically, it
was Russian President Vladimir Putin
driving the first vehicle in a convoy of trucks crossing the new bridge linking
the Russian mainland with the annexed Crimean peninsula. It is hoped that the new bridge will end the reliance on sea
transport for food and other vital supplies to Crimea because Ukraine blocked
land routes. In length, it exceeds the Vasco da Gama bridge in Portugal.Putin boasted that the 12-mile crossing was a
dream of both the Russian Tsars and Communist leader Joseph Stalin, but has
only happened under his rule.The road
towards finishing the £2.75 billion link has been all but straight, as it led
to a wave of sanctions from the EU and US.
Ukraine has slammed
the construction of the bridge by the 'the occupation forces', which has now
been finished some four years after Russia annexed the peninsula. After Putin's
final inspection today, the first regular traffic will cross the Crimea Bridge
at 5.30 am tomorrow. The bridge spans a
treacherous strait between the Black and Azov seas, and gives a key link to the
Russian mainland. But Ukraine has slammed its construction by the 'the Russian
occupation forces'.Crimean leader
Sergey Aksyonov warned: 'We are constantly expecting provocations from Ukraine
but believe me, we are highly ready to resist any attacks'. Heavy vehicles were
driven across the bridge to test everything was ready for Putin, although
approach highways are not yet complete. After the strongman's inspection today,
the first regular traffic will cross the Crimea Bridge at 5.30 am tomorrow.
It is
The Kerch Strait Bridge, a pair of parallel bridges (one for vehicular traffic, one for rail) constructed by the
Russian Federation, to span the Strait of Kerch between the Kerch Peninsula of
Crimea and the Taman Peninsula of Krasnodar Krai in Russia; with the estimate
distance of 19 km (12 miles), is the
longest bridge in Europe. The current connection (before the bridge was opened)
is by the Kerch Strait ferry between Port Kavkaz on the Chushka Spit and Port
Krym. The bridge received its official
name "Crimean Bridge" after an online vote in December 2017, with
"Kerch Strait Bridge" taking second place.
History has it that
in 1903, Tsar Nicholas II considered the idea, but dismissed it because of the
Russo-Japanese War and then World War I shortly after.The idea of this bridge was then conceived by Albert Speer in early 1943. To support the retreat the German Organisation
Todt (OT) had built a ropeway across the Kerch Strait with a daily capacity of
1,000 tons. On 7 March 1943 Hitler ordered the construction of a combined road
and railway bridge over the Strait of Kerch within 6 months,.In Sept 1943, concentrated Soviet attacks began on the
remnants of the bridgehead, accelerating the German retreat. The 4.5-kilometre (2.8 mi) bridge was actually
built in the summer of 1944 after the liberation of the Crimea by the Red Army
from the materials left on the site by the Wehrmacht. It was destroyed within
six months by flowing ice, due to the absence of groynes.
The modern bridge
spans a treacherous strait between the Black and Azov seas, and gives a key
link to the Russian mainland. A rail crossing is due to be completed late next
year. Putin has already boasted of the 'mighty' bridge: claiming it to be a unique structure not just for our
country but I think that in the whole world there are few similar'.
The bridge will
cope with 40,000 cars a day, traveling on four lanes between the mainland and
Crimea, which is a popular Russian holiday destination. Ships will be able to pass through a 115 ft
arch high in the deepest part of the strait.However, the bridge will end the
reliance on sea transport for food and other vital supplies to Crimea because
Ukraine blocked land routes.It is
stated that the Crimean bridge was completed six months ahead of schedule 'in
difficult natural conditions, and in length, it exceeds the Vasco da Gama
bridge in Portugal, which is over 10 miles (17km) long.
With regards – S.
Sampathkumar
15th May
2018.
Photo & article
majorly reproduced from : //www.dailymail.co.uk/
