Crimea: Russian President Vladimir Putin on the Kerch Bridge
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khousnullin, left, on the Crimean Bridge, after restoration work, Monday, December 5, 2022. AP - Mikhail Metzel
Text by: Anissa El Jabri Follow
2 mins
Day loaded with symbols for the Russian president, who wants to show that he has the country well in hand.
Kremlin announcement and official video on Monday: Vladimir Putin visited the Crimean Bridge, partially destroyed in October.
His first visit to the annexed peninsula since the start of the "special operation in Ukraine".
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From our correspondent in Moscow,
It had come as a shock to Russia: that such crucial infrastructure and so far from the front line as the Kerch Bridge could be damaged.
But with today's gesture, Vladimir Putin reactivates an image well anchored in the retina of Russians and beyond.
Him, driving a car, on this symbolic journey.
This bridge, which connects Russia to annexed Crimea, Vladimir Poutine had traversed it for its inauguration in May 2018, jacket on the back, at the wheel of a bright orange KamAZ truck.
This Monday afternoon, to show that the repairs have been made, the Russian president drove a Mercedes.
A choice that surprised, since the brand left the country.
Why didn't Vladimir Putin use the official Russian model, the Aurus?
“
He took the car available at that time
,” justified his spokesperson.
🇷🇺 media published a video of Vladimir Putin driving on the Crimea Bridge pic.twitter.com/3Fl5rkGxKx
— Shawn Carrie (@shawncarrie) December 5, 2022
According to the Kremlin pool, Vladimir Putin would also have made this comment on the renovated bridge: “
It is very pretty.
»
To show that in the tenth month of what must be called - it is the law in Russia - "the special operation in Ukraine", he still holds the country with an iron fist, Vladimir Putin has also signed several decrees on Monday, including one on strengthening the fight against foreign interference, and it involves, it was unexpected, a ban on demonstrations around all public buildings, universities and hospitals included.
Prohibition which will be left to the appreciation of the regional governors also, for “
places with historical and cultural characteristics
”.
►Read again: In Russian cities, along the Ukrainian border, strikes and anguish
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Vladimir Poutine