PUTIN’S BRIDGE FALLS IN FLAMES

Explosion cripples link to Crimea

- JOHN SIDDLE

VLADIMIR Putin was handed a birthday present he will never forget after a huge explosion wrecked his Crimean Bridge.

It sent part of the 12-mile road and rail link – the main route between Russia and Crimea and a key supply artery for Moscow’s troops – crumbling into the Black Sea.

Russia blamed a truck bomb and said the blast killed three people and set fire to seven oil tankers.