Russian President Vladimir Putin inaugurated the newly built Kerch Strait bridge that connects the Russian mainland with the annexed Crimea peninsular by driving a truck over the 19km long bridge on May 15.

The controversial bridge became Europe’s longest bridge and provides direct access to Russia’s mainland. Previously to access the peninsular by land it was necessary to drive through Ukrainian territory, making the peninsular, annexed by Russia in May 2014, a logistical nightmare to supply.

The bridge has two layers carrying cars on top and a railway underneath. The link is expected to carry 14mn passengers and 13mn tonnes of cargo per year.

The Russian president got behind the wheel in the cabin of a Kamaz truck to lead a convoy of 35 vehicles across the bridge in a typical he-man stunt.

He invited the CEO of the bridge building company, SGM-Most, Alexander Ostrovsky, into the cabin to join him for the brief journey.'

The firm is a subsidiary of lead contractor Stroygazmontazh and both firms are on the US sanctions list and owned by stoligarch Arkady Rotenberg, a personal friend of Putin’s who has become a billionaire thanks to the number of big state orders awarded to firms under his control. The project cost RUB212bn ($3.2bn) to complete but had significant cost overruns and the final price tag is thought to be closer to $4bn.

Russian President Vladimir Putin led a convoy of 35 trucks to open the Kerch bridge that connects Russia’s mainland to the Crimean peninsular on May 15.