Support The Moscow Times!

Russian Divers To Examine Crimea Bridge

EPA/TASS

Divers were to inspect the waters beneath the Crimea bridge on Sunday a day after a huge blast damaged Russia's key road and rail link to the annexed peninsula, killing three people.

"We are ordering the examination by divers, they will start work from six in the morning," Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin told state media late Saturday after the early morning explosion. 

He also said the "first results" of Russia's inspection of the bridge were due Sunday. 

Authorities in Russia and Crimea have tried to reassure the population and downplayed the attack on the bridge, which has major symbolic importance for the Kremlin.

Officals said car and train traffic had resumed over the bridge, with Moscow's transport ministry saying Sunday that long-distance passenger trains from Crimea to Russia were "moving according to the standard schedule."

The Russian-installed leader of Crimea, Sergei Aksyonov, said late Saturday that authorities were assessing whether it is safe to let busses through. 

He said people who want to get back to Russia could take a car or a ferry to cities such as Krasnodar and Anapa. 

Moscow said a truck bomb exploded setting off a massive blaze, but has stopped short of blaming Ukraine. 

Some officials, mainly in Crimea and Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine, have nonetheless called for retaliation. 

Aksyonov urged Crimeans to remain "calm" and said the "situation is under control." 

But he added: "Of course, there are emotions and there is a healthy desire to seek revenge." 

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter

Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysiss and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview
Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy

A Message from The Moscow Times:

Dear readers,

We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."

These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.

By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.

Once
Monthly
Annual
Continue
paiment methods
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.

Read more