OR Germany performs the largest military exercise In Hamburg by the Cold War, with the turmoil in Europe and NATO from the Russian mainly threat to restore insecurity.
The Red Storm Bravo military exercise is ongoing, in collaboration with emergency political services, with an emphasis on the new type of threats.
The Bundeswehr, as the German armed forces are called, are conducting a three -day interdisciplinary exercise along with the police, civil protection and fire department.
The issue is to simulate espionage, drone attack, sabotage and a large number of wounded. The Red Storm Bravo exercise concerns education in the event of a military conflict at the border of a Baltic state, and its government, invokes NATO’s emergency process, which would mean that thousands of NATO soldiers would have to cross Germany.
One year after the Red Storm Alpha exercise, which took place in Hamburg in September 2024, the current exercise is the largest military movement in the Cold War region.
In 1989, Hamburg was the second largest base of the Bundeswehr in Germany, but today neither warships nor armored vehicles are parked in the area, as almost all camps have been converted into residential areas.
The city, however, remains an important NATO logistical support hub and because of its port it could become the most important transfer point for the transportation of armed forces, military material and equipment to the east side of NATO.
Protest rallies are held by left -wing organizations against great exercise.
About 500 troops, police, firefighters and rescuers are involved in the exercise, with the aim of better coordinating all services in the event of an emergency. “We want to connect security -related bodies. It is the only way to make us able to defend ourselves at national level. It is the scenario that puts all the scenarios, “said the head of the Hamburg Curt Leonard’s administration in Der Spiegel magazine.
Since Germany has become less dependent on Russian gas, ports have played an even more important role in energy supply, with LNG terminals or the production of green hydrogen. “The energy transition and a new era are happening at the same time. And Russia could want to hit both at all times. That is why the ports are always traditionally at the forefront of conflict, “the leader of the Central Union of German Ports Management Florian Kayenger told the magazine and explained that German ports are not suitable for war, as reinforced walls are needed by docks, more high walls. “We are already in a silent war,” Mr Kazinger said.
In the same vein, Commander Leonard also said that when the exercise was planned, last December, the defense in drones was a central point in possible scenarios, “but in the meantime reality has prevented us.” He said they had repeatedly identified drones over German camps. According to German law, Bundeswehr is allowed to shoot down drones only directly over military territory, but often move so quickly that it is impossible to break down, the German officer explained, adding that in this case the nets may be more appropriate, as well as the devices. The Red Storm Bravo exercise also educates these systems as well.
Curt Leonard also pointed out that the exercise deliberately does not take place in a camp but publicly, in order to “show that something is happening here”. Hundreds of protesters, however, expressed their opposition to military exercise. Already in the past few days, rallies from the Left Party have been held with organizations in the area, with placards that read slogans such as “NATO” and “no war exercise in our city”.