Ukraine power supplies to Crimea restored, Russia saysDecember 9, 2015 - 11:09 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Electricity has been fully restored to Crimea, the Russian Energy Ministry announced on Tuesday, December 8, according to RT. The region has been under a partial blackout after Ukrainian activists blew up power lines providing electricity to the peninsula on November 22. “On December 8, a 220 KV line linking Kakhovsky-Titan-Krasnoperekopsk was switched on,” the ministry said on its website, confirming reports from officials in Ukraine’s Kherson region. On Tuesday, Kherson officials said they had partly restored power to the Crimean peninsula. They said the power line was repaired following an agreement with Ukrainian activists attempting an energy and provisions blockade of Crimea. The activists had earlier prevented repair crews from restoring energy supplies. Crimea has been facing a serious shortage of electricity since last month after power lines in Ukraine were sabotaged. The blown up pylons delivered electricity to the peninsula. Nearly 1.9 million people were left partly or fully without electricity. Crimean authorities declared a state of emergency and put in place a power rationing schedule. Last week, the first power line was extended from the Russian mainland across the Kerch Strait providing 200 MW of electricity to Eastern Crimea. Another 200 MW will be delivered by a second power cable expected to be connected by December 20. This should cover 80-90 percent of Crimea's energy needs. Prior to the blackout Crimea was receiving about 70 percent of its energy from Ukraine. Russia’s construction of the 14 kilometer long power bridge across the Kerch Strait to Crimea started in October to cut the peninsula’s electricity dependence on Kiev. The second stage of the construction is scheduled to be finished next summer and to increase the power delivery to 800-840 MW. Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. |