On October 30 and 31, the Annual Baltic Military History Conference 2025, entitled "Historical Perspectives on the Laws of War and the Implementation of Military Justice," was held at the University of Tartu Library Conference Center. The conference brought together more than 150 people who are researching or are interested in military history. It is also an integral part of the Baltic Defence College educational programs. During the conference,

Eesti Pank officially presented a silver coin in honour of the Finnish Boys. The Finnish Boys were Estonians who volunteered to fight for Finland and fought in the Winter War and the Continuation War to resist the attempted occupation by the Soviet Union. This coin is the first in a new series of collector coins from Eesti Pank dedicated to resistance.

Academic Highlights
The first day of the conference focused on the evolution and codification of military law, beginning with a keynote on Friedrich Martens and Russian humanitarianism (by Professor Lauri Mälksoo). Panels explored the historical development of laws of war, frameworks of military justice in the Baltic states and Central Europe, and legal case studies including war crimes trials and post–Cold War legal dilemmas. Presentations highlighted the interplay between military ethics, disciplinary systems, and national legal traditions from the early modern period to the 20th century.

The second day shifted toward the treatment of prisoners of war, legal aspects of military occupation, and wartime recruitment. Scholars examined captivity regulations from medieval Spain to Soviet and post-Soviet practices, as well as the legal challenges of occupation in WWI and WWII contexts. The final panel addressed recruitment and support mechanisms, including voluntary enlistment of POWs and Polish aid efforts in North Africa. The conference concluded with reflections on the enduring relevance of military law in shaping armed forces and civil-military relations.

Speakers represented institutions such as the Swedish Defence University, General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania, Vytautas the Great War Museum, Latvian War Museum, University of Tartu, and Estonian Military Academy, among others.

#BALTMILHIST is jointly organised by the Baltic Defence College, the Estonian War Museum – General Laidoner Museum, the Estonian Military Academy, the Latvian War Museum, and Vytautas the Great War Museum.