NATO's largest drills in years as Germany braces for conflict
Germany is preparing for large NATO exercises in Hamburg, which will take place in September. The manoeuvres aim to prepare for a potential attack from Russia. "The threat is real. We are already seeing attacks on our infrastructure," says Captain Kurt Leonards.
Amid growing calls in Germany for armament and preparations for a potential war with Russia, the upcoming NATO exercises in Hamburg will focus on the rapid deployment of troops, although possibly without the participation of Americans.
Germany prepares for a Russian attack. Manoeuvres begin
Large-scale Bundeswehr exercises will take place in Hamburg, starting on 25th September, to prepare for a potential attack from Russia, as reported by the German service "Bild". Military personnel will be deployed in the city, and there will also be convoys of transport vehicles, mobile hospitals, and helicopters.
As part of the "Red Storm Bravo" manoeuvres, NATO forces must be rapidly deployed from Western Europe to the eastern flank, including the Baltic states and Poland. Hamburg, with its strategic port, plays a key role as a logistics centre. Some reports suggest that the exercises may involve a total of 800,000 people.
Captain Kurt Leonards of the Bundeswehr emphasizes that the current situation differs from the Cold War era, when Germany was considered a potential war zone. Currently, they play a role in supporting the deployment of NATO forces.
US participation in the exercises
The "Bild" reports followed an article by the Swedish newspaper "Expressen," which informed that allies have been notified that the US will no longer participate in planning NATO military exercises in Europe after 2025. However, the American military publication "Stars and Stripes" reports that NATO is still preparing for military exercises involving the US this year and in the future.
"The threat is real. We are already seeing attacks on our infrastructure," says Leonards, citing cases of espionage, a fire at a steelworks, and a planned attack on a Rheinmetall manager.
