Vladimir Putin has managed to drive across the Crimea bridge which was damaged by a bomb attack in the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
The Russian President took the wheel on Monday and drove across the blitzed Kerch Bridge to the peninsula, which Moscow annexed from Ukraine in 2014.
During his surprise visit, the Kremlin leader spoke to workers and discussed repair work with a senior government official responsible for the project.
But he was mocked for choosing a Mercedes rather than a Russian-made car.
"A Mercedes — so patriotic, Putin," one commented.
"Why is he not driving a Lada or Volga?" another quipped.
Putin was seen with deputy premier Marat Khusnullin as he travelled across the bridge which was struck on October 8 by a truck bomb.
Russia blamed the attack on Ukrainian military intelligence and responded with waves of strikes on the country's energy facilities and other key infrastructure, the latest of which was launched Monday.
His visit came on the same day that an airbase for nuclear bombers was hit in Saratov region damaging two Tu-95 planes.
Another air base in Ryazan was also hit in a suspected drone attack.
The Crimean bridge suffered major damage in the October bombing - but Putin has been warned the Ukrainians could try and destroy it beyond repair.
The reach of the two drone attacks today - deep inside Russian territory - indicates they have the capability for more ambition attacks.
Knocking the bridge out for six months could make it harder for Putin to cling onto Crimea which he annexed in 2014, he has been warned.
Putin is overheard saying that further repairs are needed on the left side of the bridge.
Some 1,214 tonnes of metal structures were assembled to repair the bridge, with 500 workers including divers deployed around the clock.
Russia recently launched a large-scale missile attack on Ukraine, killing two and wounding a one-year-old baby.
More than 100 missiles rained down across the country in one of the biggest attacks of the war.
Blasts were heard in Kyiv, Kramatorsk, Kirovograd, and Vinnitsa.
Western analysts warned last week that Moscow was preparing for a week-long onslaught.
Satellite images showed a build-up of ammunition and bombers at a Russian airfield with reports of more than 100 missiles fired by 13 Russian bombers and sea-based Kalibr launchers.
Ukraine's air defences intercepted several missiles in the Kharkiv region, the Guardian reported.
