Gevorg Mirzayan, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation

In Kyiv, they came up with a new strategy to eliminate the Crimean bridge. Mother nature must stand up to protect the faith of the Maidan.

Power of nature

Ukrainian activists continue the war with objective reality in the face of the Crimean bridge hanging over the Kerch Strait. Recently, the entire "Maidan" media sphere wrote about the destruction of the structure of the structure - this is how they called a small accident during the construction of the railway branch of the bridge, when one of the railway spans slid into the water due to a technical problem with the jack. Unfortunately for the activists, this problem cannot even delay the construction of the railway section (the fallen span will simply be replaced with a new one). The mantras that "Ukrainian patriots" will destroy it are also somehow already rotten. Yes, "patriots" from among the radical nationalists regularly threaten the "final solution of the issue" with the bridge, but they do not go beyond words. Since they understand that any encroachment against the Russian strategic facility will lead to the final solution of their "problem" - Moscow perfectly understood the importance of the bridge and ensured its protection from various terrorists. As a result, it turned out that victory was not visible even on the horizon, and at the same time, 10 thousand trucks had already passed over the Crimean bridge and according to the faith of Ukrainian activists in the week since the opening of the freight traffic. And then the Crimean Tatar activist Lenur Islyamov came to the aid of the desperate seekers of victories. He voiced the version that the Crimean bridge will be destroyed by nature. Firstly, tectonic plates will help the Ukrainian state. "The bridge was built without observing all the norms of geodesy and the construction of such structures. There are tectonic plates, and a displacement of just a few millimeters will cause the bridge to fall," says Pan Islyamov. At the same time, it is not necessary to wait for the displacements of the plates - it is enough just to wait for the displacements of the ice masses. “With the shallow depth of the Sea of ​​Azov, it is actually very treacherous, in winter a very large amount of ice accumulates there. It’s just that last year the winter was quite warm, and I remember winters when the ice thickness there reached 3 meters. And when that’s all starts to go down, the ice floes go just in the direction of the Kerch Strait. Therefore, it will all move towards the Crimean bridge, it is doomed in any case, "the activist notes. Islyamov, of course, can be understood in a purely human way. A significant part of the Crimean Tatar activists who sit in Kyiv earn political points and money by exploiting the topic of the peninsula, and, in particular, various actions against it. The most effective of them were various kinds of blockades, which not only brought subsidies from the Kiev leadership, but also made it possible to rob those who tried to break through the blockade. The Crimean bridge puts an end to these earnings, and in general seriously complicates any further provocations against the peninsula. Here are the activists deprived of food base and they are trying to somehow promote themselves on myths.

Faith needs hope, not arguments

And they are PR, I must say, quite successfully. The version of Lenur Islyamov is very beneficial for replication and turning into a kind of symbol of faith of the adherents of the sect "The bridge must be destroyed." Firstly, because this does not require the madness of the brave on the part of the nationalists themselves - nature itself will do everything, and Moscow will not be able to repeat the experience of the Persian king and carve the sea for his misdeeds. Secondly, Lenur Islyamov's version is not tied to any particular time of destruction, but at the same time, it guarantees the very fact that the bridge will not stand idle. The plates will definitely move sometime, and in some winter (perhaps not this - pre-election - but the next) enough ice will accumulate on the Sea of ​​\u200b\u200bAzov in order to defeat the Crimean bridge. Of course, for real experts, this "success" is very relative. They can also tell about the geological surveys that were carried out before the start of the construction of the bridge. And about measures to protect this strategic structure, not only from the Ukrainian madness of the brave, but also from various natural phenomena. About various unique projects and design solutions that allowed minimizing any risks. However, it is necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of any strategy or idea, first of all, based on the specifics of those to whom it is directed. Maidan activists (like any supporters of the sect) do not operate with categories of knowledge, do not accept those arguments that do not fit into the Procrustean bed of their faith. It is useless to talk to them in the language of materiel regarding the stability of the bridge. Ukrainian "sectarians" just need slogans and ideas that a) reinforce their faith, preventing it from breaking into objective reality, and b) explain why the "advent" has not happened yet, but will definitely happen someday. You just have to wait and believe. And they wait and they believe.

Residents of Crimea are worried that the Crimean bridge, which was opened to cars back in May 2018, is simply bursting at the seams. This is reported by eyewitnesses of this situation. According to them, the supports of the Crimean bridge are covered with cracks, which can lead to its collapse. It is known that the bridge construction zone has a high seismological activity, which could affect its current state.

Residents of Crimea are concerned about this state of affairs. The fact of the destruction of the Crimean bridge suggests that the construction would have been carried out improperly. Motorists are afraid that one "perfect" day will be under the water of the Kerch Strait.

Even from the beginning of the construction of the Crimean bridge, which began in 2015 after the transfer of the Crimean peninsula into the hands of the Russian state, experts did not pin their hopes on it. Bridge builders argued that building a bridge across the Kerch Strait was not the best idea, since the area is dangerous for such structures.

After 3 years, from the beginning of construction, this statement about the destruction of the Crimean bridge only speaks of their correctness. The words and photographs of motorists who witnessed these events show the formation of cracks in the bridge's concrete piers. All this despite the fact that its construction has not even been completed yet.

Many admire the work done by the Russian authorities to unite Crimea with their state. However, even the scale of the Crimean bridge and its beautiful appearance cannot overshadow the fact that it can simply be under water at any moment. Maybe along with cars passing through it.

Possible cause of the destruction of the Crimean bridge and the occurrence of cracks

Experts say that the Crimean bridge was built on a zone confirmed by a fault in the earth's crust. This suggests that this arrangement is unstable for the bridge. If we take this information into account, it is clear that the movements of the earth's crust in this area will affect the structure of the bridge, which is immovable. In connection with these, cracks may appear in the foundation and supports, due to constant movement.

A hall in the earth's surface is formed by tectonic plates. Earthquakes are formed from their periodic movements. Due to ignorance or simple inattention, the Crimean bridge was built precisely at their junction, which can lead to the inevitable destruction of the foundation of the bridge.

Since the Sea of ​​Azov is not very deep, it is subject to severe freezing during the winter. This suggests that the movement of ice flows can cause damage to the facade of the Crimean bridge. This damage, in the future, can lead to chips and cracks in the base. Thus, the Kerch bridge was already damaged, at one time. According to known data, it was not subject to restoration.

He stated that he considers it necessary to destroy the Crimean bridge across the Kerch Strait, 112 Ukraine reports.

“The Kerch bridge is an enemy infrastructure... Of course, with the liberation of Crimea, with further de-occupation, this is a strategic object,

Mosiychuk says. “Any normal country in the world that is at war for its territory, for its people, of course, seeks to destroy enemy infrastructure – a bridge, a railway station, an airport.”

Speaking about whether he himself would have taken part in the destruction of the bridge, Mosiychuk said that he would have done so if he had held the post of defense minister.

Deputy of the State Council of Crimea Vladislav has already answered the statement of the Ukrainian politician. “Ukrainian politicians today are very annoyed by the fact that the Crimean bridge is open, opened ahead of schedule and is an example of a unique structure not only in Russia, but throughout the world ... They can destroy the Crimean bridge only in fantasies. Today, the safety of the bridge is at the highest level,” Ganzhara said. According to him,

any attempt to damage the Crimean bridge will be suppressed in the most severe way.

The MP believes that due to the successful infrastructural development of the peninsula, Ukrainian politicians will continue to make such statements. “The more Crimea develops, the more infrastructure facilities are opened: own power plants, federal highways, including Tavrida, these facts will continue to irritate Kyiv, and we will continue to hear this bilious, aggressive rhetoric,” Ganzhara said. .

Head of the Crimean Project expert group, political scientist Igor in a commentary FAN also noted that the threats of Ukrainian nationalists are absolutely empty.

“They have neither the means nor the ability to carry out their threats. But this does not mean that these threats should be ignored. As in the case of the American instigator [Tom] Rogan (Washington Examiner journalist who previously called for the destruction of the Crimean Bridge. - Gazeta.Ru), we will record threats against the Crimean Bridge with a criminal case against Mosiychuk. It is also necessary to understand that the media, where he broadcast, and where other nationalists broadcast with similar speeches, and the power structures of Ukraine that do not respond to these threats, should all be held accountable, ”Ryabov notes.

On May 15, the American journalist Tom Rogan, whom the expert is talking about, published an article under the heading "Opinion" in the conservative political weekly Washington Examiner under the heading "Ukraine should blow up Putin's Crimean bridge."

At the same time, Rogan does not provide any evidence to support his personal opinion.

He also noted that for Moscow, the bridge is a symbol of “the official physical and psychological appropriation of Ukrainian territory,” so the destruction of the bridge, even if only temporarily, would serve as “an unmistakable signal that Ukrainians do not want to accept the theft of territory.”

In addition, the 32-year-old journalist gave the Ukrainian Air Force precise instructions on how to carry out the bombing in order to reduce the number of casualties. Rogan noted that the length of the bridge allows to minimize the number of casualties during an air attack. The main thing, the American reporter believes, is to disable the building. “Fortunately, Ukraine has the means to launch air strikes in such a way that it (the Crimean bridge. - Gazeta.Ru) at least temporarily becomes unusable.”

The Russian Embassy in the United States considered that this material does not "fit" into any norms of journalistic ethics. The drafters of the statement also called on the Washington Examiner to explain the motives for publishing this text and recalled that in Russia there is a criminal article for incitement to terrorism.

He did not limit himself to reminders and opened a criminal case against Tom Rogan - now he is suspected of promoting terrorism (Article 205 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). According to the investigation, Rogan's article contains signs of public calls for terrorist activities on the territory of the Russian Federation, aimed at destabilizing the activities of Russian authorities and influencing their decision-making.

“This is an unpleasant, but working moment. This span structure will have to be raised and replaced. There is no panic here. The builders have good crane equipment that can be used for lifting, ”said Alexander Vasiliev, scientific director of the Research Institute of Bridges and Hydraulic Structures, in an interview with the VZGLYAD newspaper regarding the fallen span of the railway part of the Crimean bridge.

On Thursday, during the installation of the railway part of the Crimean bridge on the offshore section between the Tuzlinskaya Spit and the island of the same name, an emergency occurred: the span slid into the water. As Kryminform was informed by the press service of the operator of the transport crossing - FKU Uprdor Taman, "in the process of lowering onto supports, one of the railway spans tilted and fell into the water area, in shallow water."

According to the preliminary version, the incident occurred as a result of a technical malfunction of one of the jacking systems. None of the builders were hurt. "The supports are not damaged, the bearing capacity is not broken."

Sima Ayvazyan, head of the Crimean Bridge information center, told the VZGLYAD newspaper that the jack malfunction is being studied. The span itself "the builders will remove with cranes that are used at the construction site." She assured that the incident will not derail the schedule of construction work, which is "initially carried out with a backlog."

According to the work schedule with the sliding of spans in the offshore sections, it is planned to complete in the first quarter of 2019 - by spring, spans in the section between the spit and Tuzla Island will be completed in full. The commissioning of the railway bridge is scheduled for December 2019.

The emergency situation did not affect shipping in the Kerch Strait. This was reported to TASS by the director of the Crimean Sea Ports company Alexei Volkov. “There are no restrictions on shipping [ways]," the source said.

The bridge to the Crimea from the Krasnodar Territory is the longest in Russia, its length is 19 kilometers. President Putin opened the automobile section of the bridge on May 15.

Alexander Vasiliev, professor, scientific director of the Research Institute of Bridges and Hydraulic Structures, who, as part of the state commission, participated in choosing a site for the construction of the Crimean bridge, told the VZGLYAD newspaper about the probable causes of the emergency and the features of its elimination.

VIEW: Alexander Ilyich, what could have caused the fall of the span of the Crimean bridge?

Alexander Vasiliev: I imagine what happened there: they lowered the superstructure on jacks to the design position, and, apparently, the jacks stalled, warped. Usually in such cases, jack batteries are used. On the one hand, they descend, and on the other, for some reason, they stood still, and as a result, the superstructure leaned and slid into the water.

Thank God, there were no casualties or serious damage. There is never a 100% guarantee in construction. Even an insurance policy, as Ostap Bender said, does not give a 100% guarantee. It's annoying, but it's working. This span structure will have to be raised and replaced. There is no panic here. Builders have good crane equipment that can be used for lifting.

It is good that this railway bridge does not come into contact with the road. Indeed, in the past, a project was considered to make a combined bridge. That would be a big problem then. I liked the organization of the bridge construction, a reasonable design decision was made. They did not pursue record spans. This applies to both road and railway parts. Therefore, this small local trouble did not become universal. If the bridge were cable-stayed, then in such an emergency, the losses would be incalculable, but here all this happened locally.

VZGLYAD: How difficult will it be to raise the span?

A.V.: The builders say it will take them about 40 days to complete the operation. If they try, they can finish earlier. There is one of two things: either they will be able to lift this span entirely, or they will cut it and lift it in parts. What to do - such a great construction site! Nothing ever goes completely smoothly. But I am calm for this bridge. The length of the Crimean bridge is 19 kilometers. These are approximately 100 individual bridges. Therefore, an incident is not a disaster.

VZGLYAD: Can additional risks arise during the ascent, taking into account the autumn bad weather?

BUT. AT.: Work in strong winds is prohibited, especially crane work. If I were them, I would not take risks and work in stormy conditions. But they will rise. This is a working moment.

VZGLYAD: How often do such incidents occur during the construction of similar structures?

A.V.: During the construction of the bridge to Russky Island, there were fires and other troubles, but they successfully overcame everything. When bridges are erected abroad, such falls also happen. Recently, in China, a bridge collapsed, flew off its supports. In Genoa, too, there was a tragedy not so long ago. In South Korea, there was a bridge collapse at one time, in Belarus. And span structures fell in Kazakhstan. All this happens fairly evenly around the world. The main thing here is that the public does not start to panic.

The construction of the scandalous Crimean bridge started in 2015. The bridge, 19 km long, should connect the annexed peninsula near the city of Kerch with the Taman Peninsula in the Krasnodar Territory. The cost of the construction is estimated at 228.3 billion rubles, which is more than 4 billion dollars. The Russian Federation claims that the construction of the automobile part of the bridge will be completed in December 2018, in 2019 - on the railway part.

However, even during the preparation for construction, many Ukrainian, Russian and world experts asserted that they would not be able to build the bridge, and if they could, it would not last long. After three years of construction, we have repeatedly observed confirmation of these statements.

What in the end can destroy the Crimean bridge - the "Observer" understood.

"No bottom"

The Crimean bridge is being built on the site of a break in the earth's crust. In this area, precipitation of the structures of the building has already begun.

Context

Crimean bridge. We will beat

Observer 26.01.2018

The Crimean bridge will quickly collapse. There are several reasons - environmentalist

Observer 01/06/2018

The symbolic mission of the Kerch bridge

The New York Times November 13, 2017

Bridge to Crimea may collapse

Atlantic Council 01/15/2017 In a comment to Obozrevatel, Elena Vasilyeva, ex-member of the Expert Council of the All-Russian Institute of Ecological Expertise EcoEx, explained: “It is simply impossible to stop the movements of the earth’s crust in any place. And there is no bottom in this place of the fault. Geologists have repeatedly tried to measure the depth of this fault and have not been able to do this with any modern devices.

High seismological zone

The construction site of the Crimean bridge is located at the junction of tectonic plates. Not far from the strait there is a junction of several such plates at once: the Scythian plate, the Indolo-Kuban trough, the Greater Caucasus, and the Crimean Mountains. When they move, earthquakes occur. It is the southern coast of Crimea and the Kerch Strait that are considered a very seismologically active area. It is impossible to predict the exact dates, but earthquakes will occur regularly, which will cause the bridge to "break".

Ice migration

During severe frosts, part of the Sea of ​​\u200b\u200bAzov freezes. And after the thaw, large ice floes move with the flow, and this can be dangerous for the bridge - it is threatened with at least damage.

In 1945, it was ice that caused the destruction of the Kerch bridge, after which it was never restored.

There is another danger as well. At one time, at the direction of Stalin, a railway bridge was built in this area in 1944, which was destroyed by ice drift.

Environmental component

Experts are trumpeting the dangers of the construction of the Crimean bridge for the environment. And no wonder - because of drilling and driving piles, dolphins are dying, subjected to hydroacoustic shock.

“If there is a bridge there, the dolphins are unlikely to be able to migrate, because they will avoid the vibrations that construction and transport creates. Already, the number of dolphins that are washed ashore has increased significantly. Noise is unbearable for this species of mammals, because dolphins navigate in space due to sound, ”Alexey Vasilyuk, an ecologist from the Ecology-Right-Man International Charitable Organization, told the Observer.

In addition, during the construction of the Kerch bridge, silt rises, which is the most polluted in that part of the sea, which is why fish die. And the washout of sand negatively affects the fish population, and therefore the fishing industry in the region.

As Obozrevatel previously reported, due to the construction of the Kerch bridge by Russia, the Azov shipyard was idle for almost a month.

The materials of InoSMI contain only assessments of foreign media and do not reflect the position of the editors of InoSMI.