Russia launches new pipeline to Crimea

Russia activated a pipeline carrying Russian gas to Crimea on Tuesday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed hope that the pipeline would spark economic development in the Crimean peninsula, which Moscow annexed from Ukraine in 2014.

“It is another very important solution for the long-term development of Crimea,” Putin said as he watched the launch of the pipeline on Tuesday, according to Reuters.

The pipeline stretches from the Krasnodar region to Crimea and connects the Russian natural gas supply with the Crimean gas infrastructure.

{mosads}Putin announced the completion of the project during his annual press conference last week, according to Tass News Agency.

Crimea has struggled to fully rebuild its infrastructure, including natural gas and electrical systems, since it was annexed by Russia.

Moscow has proposed a number of projects to rebuild the region that is not connected to the Russian mainland.

Alongside the pipeline, Russia already completed an electricity link to the peninsula and is expected to build a road and rail bridge, according to Reuters.