A Russian bridge bearing anti-Obama graffiti collapses

A bridge located about 100 miles east of Vladivostok has collapsed. The structure fell apart while two vehicles were driving over it—one a passenger vehicle and the other a semi truck that technically wasn't permitted to be there. Everyone involved escaped with only minor injuries, though the smaller car managed to crash over the bridge's edge.

Local police say experts will determine if the bridge collapsed due to general dilapidation or because of the semi truck's weight. The driver of the truck did not flee the scene, and has been cooperating with law enforcement.

Looking at photos of the disaster, Russian Internet users have noticed that the words “Obama is a sucker” (Обама лох) were spraypainted on one of the bridge's support beams.

With anti-American sentiment running high in Russia for the past several years, it's become common in political rhetoric to blame Washington for the country's various maladies. The phenomenon has inspired satire, as well. On Twitter, fake Barack Obama accounts have emerged, pretending to take credit for Russia's economic turmoil and human rights abuses.