Vladimir Putin leads - driving a truck on newly constructed Crimean Bridge on Kerch

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, travelling 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

15^th May 2018.

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