Russian divers inspect the damage to the Crimean bridge after the explosion
Russian divers on Sunday began inspecting the damage caused by a powerful explosion on a bridge for vehicular and rail traffic to Crimea, an important symbol of Moscow's annexation of the peninsula and a major supply route for forces fighting in southern Ukraine.
Saturday's explosion on the bridge over the Kerch Strait was greeted with jubilant messages from Ukrainian officials, without claiming responsibility.
Nor did Russia accuse anyone.
Local news agencies quoted Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khosnolin as saying that the divers started working in the morning, and that a more detailed overwater survey is expected to be completed by the end of the day.
"The situation is manageable...it's disturbing, but not catastrophic," Russian governor of Crimea, Sergei Aksionov, told reporters.
The Russian Ministry of Transport announced that the movement of freight trains and long-distance trains passing through the Crimean Bridge was organized today, Sunday, according to the established schedule.
The movement of vehicles resumed to a limited extent yesterday, about ten hours after the explosion.
Aksionov added that the peninsula has enough fuel for a month and food for two months.
The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed that its forces in southern Ukraine could get their supplies "entirely" through the existing land and sea routes.
Follow our latest local and sports news and the latest political and economic developments via Google news