Russia doubles power supplies to Crimea with second line launch

Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses employees of Crimea's state electricity company Krymenergo as Crimean Prime Minister Sergei Aksyonov (2nd R) and Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak (R) listen in Simferopol, Crimea, December 2, 2015. REUTERS/Michael Klimentyev/Sputnik/Kremlin

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin oversaw on Tuesday the launch of the second line of Russia's power link to Crimea which will allow to double Russian power supplies to the peninsula to 400 megawatts. Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, was plunged into darkness around three weeks ago after electricity pylons in southern Ukraine that carry the four lines that supply Crimea with the bulk of its power were blown up by unidentified people. (Reporting by Maria Kiselyova; writing by Vladimir Soldatkin)