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Putin Drives Truck Across Bridge From Russia To Crimea

People near the Russian town of Taman look out in July 2016 over the construction of the Kerch bridge, snaking 19 kilometers toward Crimea. A crew of around 5,000 people are working around the clock on the project, which began in May 2015. 
1/20 People near the Russian town of Taman look out in July 2016 over the construction of the Kerch bridge, snaking 19 kilometers toward Crimea. A crew of around 5,000 people are working around the clock on the project, which began in May 2015. 
Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 15 officially unveiled a 19-kilometer-long road bridge linking the annexed Crimean Peninsula with Russian territories across the Kerch Strait. Construction of the bridge, which can carry up to 40,000 cars a day, started in 2016. It was originally expected to open in December but was finished ahead of schedule. A railway bridge is due to be completed by the end of 2019.
Arkady Rotenberg (center) visits the construction site. The construction magnate won the multibillion-dollar contract to build the bridge in 2015. Rotenberg is a childhood friend of Vladimir Putin and has amassed enormous personal wealth, mostly through construction contracts awarded by the Russian state. He was sanctioned by the European Union and the United States for his role in the Ukraine crisis.
2/20 Arkady Rotenberg (center) visits the construction site. The construction magnate won the multibillion-dollar contract to build the bridge in 2015. Rotenberg is a childhood friend of Vladimir Putin and has amassed enormous personal wealth, mostly through construction contracts awarded by the Russian state. He was sanctioned by the European Union and the United States for his role in the Ukraine crisis.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 15 officially unveiled a 19-kilometer-long road bridge linking the annexed Crimean Peninsula with Russian territories across the Kerch Strait. Construction of the bridge, which can carry up to 40,000 cars a day, started in 2016. It was originally expected to open in December but was finished ahead of schedule. A railway bridge is due to be completed by the end of 2019.
A photo from July 31, 2017, shows the main archways of the bridge near completion. 
3/20 A photo from July 31, 2017, shows the main archways of the bridge near completion. 
Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 15 officially unveiled a 19-kilometer-long road bridge linking the annexed Crimean Peninsula with Russian territories across the Kerch Strait. Construction of the bridge, which can carry up to 40,000 cars a day, started in 2016. It was originally expected to open in December but was finished ahead of schedule. A railway bridge is due to be completed by the end of 2019.
The twin 227-meter-long arches are prepared for placement. The arch on the left will support two railway lines, while the other will carry four lanes of automobile traffic. 
4/20 The twin 227-meter-long arches are prepared for placement. The arch on the left will support two railway lines, while the other will carry four lanes of automobile traffic. 
Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 15 officially unveiled a 19-kilometer-long road bridge linking the annexed Crimean Peninsula with Russian territories across the Kerch Strait. Construction of the bridge, which can carry up to 40,000 cars a day, started in 2016. It was originally expected to open in December but was finished ahead of schedule. A railway bridge is due to be completed by the end of 2019.
An engineer watches a scale model of the bridge being towed through a wind tunnel.
5/20 An engineer watches a scale model of the bridge being towed through a wind tunnel.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 15 officially unveiled a 19-kilometer-long road bridge linking the annexed Crimean Peninsula with Russian territories across the Kerch Strait. Construction of the bridge, which can carry up to 40,000 cars a day, started in 2016. It was originally expected to open in December but was finished ahead of schedule. A railway bridge is due to be completed by the end of 2019.
The arches straddle this gap in the bridge, designed to allow ships to pass beneath. Critics of the project say the planned 35-meter clearance under the bridge <strong><a href="https://focus.ua/world/348338/" target="_blank">will be dangerously tight</a></strong> during stormy weather. Previous, stalled plans for a bridge across the strait called for clearance of at least 50 meters.&nbsp;
6/20 The arches straddle this gap in the bridge, designed to allow ships to pass beneath. Critics of the project say the planned 35-meter clearance under the bridge will be dangerously tight during stormy weather. Previous, stalled plans for a bridge across the strait called for clearance of at least 50 meters. 
Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 15 officially unveiled a 19-kilometer-long road bridge linking the annexed Crimean Peninsula with Russian territories across the Kerch Strait. Construction of the bridge, which can carry up to 40,000 cars a day, started in 2016. It was originally expected to open in December but was finished ahead of schedule. A railway bridge is due to be completed by the end of 2019.
In May 2017, divers tasked with scouring the seabed for explosives that could endanger the bridge discovered a&nbsp;Curtiss P-40 Warhawk downed during World War II. In 1945, a bridge connecting Crimea and the Russian mainland was completed but collapsed after an ice floe crunched into the hastily made structure.&nbsp;
7/20 In May 2017, divers tasked with scouring the seabed for explosives that could endanger the bridge discovered a Curtiss P-40 Warhawk downed during World War II. In 1945, a bridge connecting Crimea and the Russian mainland was completed but collapsed after an ice floe crunched into the hastily made structure. 
Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 15 officially unveiled a 19-kilometer-long road bridge linking the annexed Crimean Peninsula with Russian territories across the Kerch Strait. Construction of the bridge, which can carry up to 40,000 cars a day, started in 2016. It was originally expected to open in December but was finished ahead of schedule. A railway bridge is due to be completed by the end of 2019.
In a shopping mall in central Moscow, an exhibition tells the story of the Kerch bridge&#39;s construction. Russia&#39;s 2014 annexation of Crimea won the country international condemnation but caused a wave of patriotic fervor inside Russia that carried President Vladimir Putin to approval ratings of 83 percent.
8/20 In a shopping mall in central Moscow, an exhibition tells the story of the Kerch bridge's construction. Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea won the country international condemnation but caused a wave of patriotic fervor inside Russia that carried President Vladimir Putin to approval ratings of 83 percent.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 15 officially unveiled a 19-kilometer-long road bridge linking the annexed Crimean Peninsula with Russian territories across the Kerch Strait. Construction of the bridge, which can carry up to 40,000 cars a day, started in 2016. It was originally expected to open in December but was finished ahead of schedule. A railway bridge is due to be completed by the end of 2019.
A mockup of a section of the bridge is seen in a wind tunnel. The Kerch Strait is a notoriously difficult place to build, with undersea mud volcanoes, seismic activity, and drifting ice floes in winter.
9/20 A mockup of a section of the bridge is seen in a wind tunnel. The Kerch Strait is a notoriously difficult place to build, with undersea mud volcanoes, seismic activity, and drifting ice floes in winter.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 15 officially unveiled a 19-kilometer-long road bridge linking the annexed Crimean Peninsula with Russian territories across the Kerch Strait. Construction of the bridge, which can carry up to 40,000 cars a day, started in 2016. It was originally expected to open in December but was finished ahead of schedule. A railway bridge is due to be completed by the end of 2019.
An aerial view by photographer <strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/zaburdaev" target="_blank">Stanislav Zaburdayev</a>&nbsp;</strong>made with a drone in July 2017.
10/20 An aerial view by photographer Stanislav Zaburdayev made with a drone in July 2017.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 15 officially unveiled a 19-kilometer-long road bridge linking the annexed Crimean Peninsula with Russian territories across the Kerch Strait. Construction of the bridge, which can carry up to 40,000 cars a day, started in 2016. It was originally expected to open in December but was finished ahead of schedule. A railway bridge is due to be completed by the end of 2019.
An engineer works as waves slap a pontoon. With the stakes high, Russian resources poured into the project. According to a&nbsp;<strong><a href="http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/05/29/putins-shadow-cabinet-and-the-bridge-to-crimea" target="_blank">New Yorker report</a></strong>, the building of new automobile roads in Russia was &quot;practically suspended&quot; while the Kerch bridge construction went ahead.&nbsp;
11/20 An engineer works as waves slap a pontoon. With the stakes high, Russian resources poured into the project. According to a New Yorker report, the building of new automobile roads in Russia was "practically suspended" while the Kerch bridge construction went ahead. 
Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 15 officially unveiled a 19-kilometer-long road bridge linking the annexed Crimean Peninsula with Russian territories across the Kerch Strait. Construction of the bridge, which can carry up to 40,000 cars a day, started in 2016. It was originally expected to open in December but was finished ahead of schedule. A railway bridge is due to be completed by the end of 2019.
Newlyweds perch on a freshly installed bench overlooking the Crimean end of the bridge.
12/20 Newlyweds perch on a freshly installed bench overlooking the Crimean end of the bridge.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 15 officially unveiled a 19-kilometer-long road bridge linking the annexed Crimean Peninsula with Russian territories across the Kerch Strait. Construction of the bridge, which can carry up to 40,000 cars a day, started in 2016. It was originally expected to open in December but was finished ahead of schedule. A railway bridge is due to be completed by the end of 2019.
Views of the bridge taken in April and May 2018
13/20 Views of the bridge taken in April and May 2018
Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 15 officially unveiled a 19-kilometer-long road bridge linking the annexed Crimean Peninsula with Russian territories across the Kerch Strait. Construction of the bridge, which can carry up to 40,000 cars a day, started in 2016. It was originally expected to open in December but was finished ahead of schedule. A railway bridge is due to be completed by the end of 2019.
14/20
Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 15 officially unveiled a 19-kilometer-long road bridge linking the annexed Crimean Peninsula with Russian territories across the Kerch Strait. Construction of the bridge, which can carry up to 40,000 cars a day, started in 2016. It was originally expected to open in December but was finished ahead of schedule. A railway bridge is due to be completed by the end of 2019.
15/20
Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 15 officially unveiled a 19-kilometer-long road bridge linking the annexed Crimean Peninsula with Russian territories across the Kerch Strait. Construction of the bridge, which can carry up to 40,000 cars a day, started in 2016. It was originally expected to open in December but was finished ahead of schedule. A railway bridge is due to be completed by the end of 2019.
16/20
Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 15 officially unveiled a 19-kilometer-long road bridge linking the annexed Crimean Peninsula with Russian territories across the Kerch Strait. Construction of the bridge, which can carry up to 40,000 cars a day, started in 2016. It was originally expected to open in December but was finished ahead of schedule. A railway bridge is due to be completed by the end of 2019.
17/20
Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 15 officially unveiled a 19-kilometer-long road bridge linking the annexed Crimean Peninsula with Russian territories across the Kerch Strait. Construction of the bridge, which can carry up to 40,000 cars a day, started in 2016. It was originally expected to open in December but was finished ahead of schedule. A railway bridge is due to be completed by the end of 2019.
A test of the bridge&#39;s lighting
18/20 A test of the bridge's lighting
Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 15 officially unveiled a 19-kilometer-long road bridge linking the annexed Crimean Peninsula with Russian territories across the Kerch Strait. Construction of the bridge, which can carry up to 40,000 cars a day, started in 2016. It was originally expected to open in December but was finished ahead of schedule. A railway bridge is due to be completed by the end of 2019.
A lone vehicle drives down the Crimean Bridge prior to the opening ceremonies on May 15.
19/20 A lone vehicle drives down the Crimean Bridge prior to the opening ceremonies on May 15.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 15 officially unveiled a 19-kilometer-long road bridge linking the annexed Crimean Peninsula with Russian territories across the Kerch Strait. Construction of the bridge, which can carry up to 40,000 cars a day, started in 2016. It was originally expected to open in December but was finished ahead of schedule. A railway bridge is due to be completed by the end of 2019.
Russian President Vladimir Putin drove a Kamaz truck across the bridge on May 15 to officially open the span.
20/20 Russian President Vladimir Putin drove a Kamaz truck across the bridge on May 15 to officially open the span.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 15 officially unveiled a 19-kilometer-long road bridge linking the annexed Crimean Peninsula with Russian territories across the Kerch Strait. Construction of the bridge, which can carry up to 40,000 cars a day, started in 2016. It was originally expected to open in December but was finished ahead of schedule. A railway bridge is due to be completed by the end of 2019.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin has opened the country's newly built bridge to the annexed Crimean Peninsula, driving a truck across the controversial span.

Putin was shown live on state television at the wheel of a Kamaz truck in a convoy of vehicles that crossed the 19-kilometer-long bridge -- a symbol of Moscow's control over the Ukrainian peninsula -- on May 15.

After an excited reporter welcomed "our heroes" as the convoy arrived on the Crimean side, Putin hopped out of the cab in jeans and a jacket and praised builders for the "miracle" he said they had created.

The bridge over the Kerch Strait had been scheduled to open in December 2018, but Russian authorities have announced that the span -- which Moscow calls the Crimean Bridge -- will open for cars and buses on May 16.

Construction on the bridge from Russia's Krasnodar Krai to Crimea's eastern end started in 2016, two years after Russia seized control of the peninsula following a military occupation and a referendum denounced as illegitimate by at least 100 countries.

The $3.7 billion project includes a four-lane highway and a two-lane railroad, which is still under construction.

Putin expressed confidence that the bridge will be open for regular truck traffic in the fall and that the railroad section will open in 2019.

Putin has said that the bridge will integrate Crimea into Russia's transport system and create opportunities for economic growth.

Crimea is connected to the mainland in Ukraine only, so the newly built bridge is the sole link between the peninsula and Russia.

Putin's government moved swiftly to seize Crimea in March 2014, after Moscow-friendly Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych was ousted from power by months of street demonstrations and fled to Russia.

Russia sent troops without insignia to Crimea and orchestrated the takeover of government bodies, before holding the referendum on March 16, 2014.

Moscow's takeover of the Black Sea peninsula severely damaged its relations with Kyiv and the West, leading to the imposition of sanctions by the United States, the European Union, and other countries.

Ties were further torn when Russia fomented unrest in Ukraine and backed separatists in a war that has killed more than 10,300 people in the eastern region known as the Donbas.

With reporting by Russia 24, TASS, and Interfax
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