Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has started a journey along the new Chita-Khabarovsk highway in Russia’s Far East.

Talking to journalist, the premier said the route has historic significance – providing a vital link between western and eastern Russia.

He said he’ll be observing the results of the long-running project from the driver’s seat, and inspecting key construction sites on the way.

Putin agreed, but said he won’t be doing all the driving.

“We have noted several good projects here such as a hydroelectric plant, one of the biggest in the country. Another one is a soon-to-be constructed space launch pad, Russia’s second one. It took experts a long time to find that spot, and it really is perfect in terms of regulating stress during takeoff. Then there is Skovorodino, a village where we are working on a joint Russian-Chinese project to ship crude oil,” he explained.

For Prime Minister’s Putin’s road trip in Russia’s Far East, the country’s largest carmaker – AvtoVAZ – offered him a bright yellow Lada Kalina.