Repairs of the Kerch Strait Bridge have already begun; now Russian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandr Novak says that Gazprom does not rule out repairing Nord Stream 1, and is prepared to pump through Nord Stream 2.
According to OilPrice.com Oct. 9, Novak’s statement said “The Danish side’s reluctance to involve Russia’s representatives in the ongoing investigation undermines its [Denmark’s] credibility. Limiting the circle of participating states, which are either already members of NATO, or on the way to this alliance, turns the study into politically preconceived. The Russian side does not rule out the possibility of repairing gas pipelines, but a decision on this can be made after examining the site and assessing the extent of damage to gas pipelines.” Russia also said it was ready to supply gas to Europe through the undamaged line of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. (https://oilprice.com/Energy/Natural-Gas/Russia-Not-Ruling-Out-Repair-Of-Nordstream-Gas-Pipelines.html )
Meantime, it is clearly the case that the damage to the Crimea bridge, while substantial, was not crippling. Vehicular traffic across the undamaged portion of the motorway resumed at about midday Oct. 8, while rail traffic, both passenger and freight, was fully restored overnight, though not without delays. Ferry service across the strait is also operating, according to a statement by the Transport Ministry.
