Olympic flame leaves Greece for France

The Olympic flame for the Paris 2024 has begun its journey for France following a ceremony held at the Greek port of Piraeus on Saturday.

It is now traveling across the Mediterranean onboard the 128-year-old French vessel, Belem, and is expected to arrive in Marseille on May 8.

Hundreds of people watched the ceremony as the flame was brought onboard at the port's cruise terminal to the accompaniment of Greece's naval band. The Olympic flame was in a metal lantern made from recycled steel, alongside a Paris 2024 mascot.

"It's reminiscent of another era. The vessel certainly feels like it came out of a movie; it's cinematic. I wish we could be closer and see the events up close and personal, but unfortunately, that's not possible. But just having the opportunity, our city had the honor of welcoming the boat and handing over the flame, I am very happy," said a local resident proudly.

The Belem, a three-masted sailing vessel, was built in 1896, when the first modern Olympic games were held in Athens. It was first used for cargo transport, but in 1914 was sold to a British aristocrat who converted the ship into a luxury yacht. After many decades it became a training vessel for the Italian Navy.

During its 11-day stay in Greece, the historic boat was visited by thousands of people, including many tourists.

"We're very proud the vessel is here in Greece. The Olympic flame will go from Athens to Marseille, passing on the baton from the mythical stadium on an interim basis. I'm lucky to be with my wife on vacation in Greece for a week and to be able to see the whole ceremony. We got up very early this morning to get a front-row seat and also see the vessel," said a French tourist.

Setting sail from the port of Piraeus, the ship will dock at the port city of Marseille on May 8, before it takes the flame on a tour across France and its overseas regions including New Caledonia and French Polynesia.

The 2024 Paris Olympic Games are scheduled to take place from July 26 to August 11, with the Paralympic Games from August 28 to September 8.

Olympic flame leaves Greece for France

Russia claimed on Tuesday to have captured another residential area in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkov region, while Ukraine said its forces are repelling the Russian attacks, according to the latest updates from both sides in the conflict.

The Russian Defense Ministry reported that its forces launched attacks on Ukrainian troops in three areas of Kharkov. It claimed to have repelled multiple attacks by the Ukrainian army on different fronts and to have caused damage to the Ukrainian army's manpower, weaponry and equipment.

The Russian forces also claimed to have destroyed a workshop used by the Ukrainian army for the production and storage of attack drones.

Russia's military also says its air defense systems shot down 26 Ukrainian drones and intercepted nine "Hammer" guided bombs.

According to Russian news agency TASS, Russian troops have gained control of the northern and western parts of the town of Vovchansk near Kharkov, on the border with Russia, and street fighting is ongoing.

Defense Intelligence at the Ministry of Defense in Ukraine stated on social media on Tuesday that Ukrainian troops used drones to detect and destroy a number of Russian military equipment and weapons in Kharkov, including Russian armored vehicles, anti-aircraft missile systems, artillery and communication equipment.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday that Ukraine's counterattack is ongoing, and emphasized that the Ukrainian army is working towards stabilizing the situation.

During a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday, Zelensky highlighted the urgent need for two sets of Patriot air defense systems in Kharkov and urged the U.S. to deliver a new batch of military support to Ukraine as soon as possible, according to the Ukrainian National News Agency.

Russia claims capture of residential area in Kharkov, Ukraine says it repelled attacks