REUTERS
The first line of the "energy bridge" underwater power cable linking Russia's Krasnodar region with the annexed Crimea will be operational by December 20, according to Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak, BBC Russian news service reported.
"According to the schedule the first stage is to be ready by March 2016, but we have given our power engineers a task to adjust the timing," Novak said.
Electricity supplies to Crimea were entirely shut off on November 20-22 after power pylons in Ukraine's Kherson region were blown up.
It was also planned that the first stage of the energy bridge across the Kerch Strait would be completed by December 22.
Read alsoRussia steps up construction of energy bridge to occupied CrimeaThe construction of the energy bridge in the form of a submarine cable is planned to be fully completed by the end of 2018.
Earlier it was reported that the cable layer vessel JIAN JI 3001 under the flag of China entered the port of Kerch. The vessel is said to be involved in constructing the energy bridge.
As reported earlier, the rally to block trade with Crimea has started since September 20, 2015.
Read alsoCrimea blackout: large enterprises suspend work, children out of schoolThe State Border Service of Ukraine announced Tuesday the introduction of additional measures to restrict the transportation of goods to the "temporarily occupied territory of Crimea."
Read alsoUkraine temporarily bans freight transportation to CrimeaIn addition to the temporary suspension of road and rail transport communication, Ukrainian border guards will pay special attention to vessels the routes of which run close to the peninsula, in accordance with a Decree of President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko. This measure is aimed at preventing transportation of goods to Crimea by sea.