The German military started exercises on Thursday in which troops prepared for a defence of the large Hamburg harbour on the Elbe River. The exercises, known as “Red Storm Alpha,” deployed around 100 soldiers to set up checkpoints and secure the port facilities in case of a threat, Germany’s military announced. The port authority is also taking part in the manoeuvrers, which will continue through Saturday. Civilian traffic should continue uninterrupted throughout. NATO countries in Europe have stepped up preparations for defence against an attack in the years since Russia’s full-scale invasion…