Train traffic has resumed on the bridge connecting the Crimean peninsula to Russia, which was damaged by a strong explosion on Saturday morning, the Russian carrier announced shortly after road traffic resumed.
According to the company Grand Service Express, which operates connections between Crimea and Russia, two trains departed from the peninsula to Moscow and Saint Petersburg in the early evening.
“The trains will cross the Crimean bridge,” the company said on the social network Telegram.
The bridge, which was blown up by a truck bomb, is a symbol of the annexation of Crimea and is considered expensive infrastructure for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
RIA Novosti and Tass news agencies said the explosion was the result of a fire at a fuel depot.
Earlier, the leader of Crimea, Sergei Aksionov, had announced the resumption of light and heavy traffic on the bridge.
Also on Telegram, Sergei Aksionov announced the reopening of traffic for cars hours after the bridge was damaged.
“Vehicle traffic on the Crimean Bridge has been reopened. Traffic is now open to cars and buses, with full inspection procedures,” the Crimean leader said.
The Crimean Peninsula was annexed by Russia in 2014.
Road traffic on the bridge was shut down, despite it being a major access point that Russia built after it occupied and annexed Ukraine’s Crimea, in violation of international law.
The fire came hours after explosions hit the Ukrainian city of Kharkov this morning.
According to the Union of Insurers of Russia, the damage to the bridge should amount to between 3.3 million and 8.2 million euros.
Source: DN
