Chris

Russia claims the Kerch road bridge has partially reopened - only one of the two carriageways actually fell into the sea this morning so they are presumably running the other carriageway for two-way traffic.

But … they won’t allow lorries on it. These now have to travel by ferry. And when you look at photos and video from the scene you have to wonder how safe the section that was right next to the explosion really is. Just because it didn’t actually collapse doesn’t mean it isn’t structurally compromised. Opening the other carriageway for buses and cars is of no military use. It can only be a weak attempt to save face, while putting civilian lives in serious danger in the process.

They were also claiming to be planning to have the rail bridge open again tonight. Again, when you see the damage caused to metalwork on the bridge by the extreme heat of the burning fuel tanks that were sitting there, you have to wonder just how structurally sound the bridge is at that point.

I wouldn’t drive a car or a train over there for all the vodka in Crimea (although that apparently isn’t a huge amount, and they’ve started rationing it).