Claims can now be submitted for losses related to access to healthcare and education, as well as for damage to the environment and natural resources in Ukraine. The Register of Damage for Ukraine, established in 2023 within the Council of Europe, has introduced additional claim categories for compensation resulting from Russia’s war of aggression. This brings the total number of claim categories to 43.
The latest categories include damage to the environment and natural resources, as well as miscellaneous claims for property damage registered by Ukraine. Last week, categories addressing the loss of access to healthcare and education for individuals were also opened for submission.
Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset stated, “The Register of Damage for Ukraine represents the legal memory of this unjust war. It is the first step towards creating a comprehensive compensation system for Ukraine and its people in response to the gross injustices they have suffered. Step by step, and in close collaboration with Ukrainian authorities and partners across Europe and beyond, we are determined to establish justice and accountability where none existed before.”
The Register of Damage for Ukraine commenced accepting claims in April 2024. It records eligible compensation claims. Individuals, legal entities, and the state of Ukraine can submit claims for damages, losses, or injuries arising from Russian aggression in all categories through the Ukrainian government’s Diia web portal and app. So far, the register has received 195,000 claims, with approximately 65,000 recorded, while reviews of the remaining claims are ongoing.
Efforts are also underway to establish an International Claims Commission for Ukraine, which will form the second component of a comprehensive compensation mechanism. 39 states have signed a convention to establish this claims commission, and the European Union, with nine states plus the EU, has already ratified the convention. Once established, the International Claims Commission will build on the work of the Register of Damage for Ukraine by reviewing, assessing, and deciding on claims recorded in the register, as well as determining the amount of compensation due in each case. It will also consider claims received after the register is integrated into the claims commission, as outlined in the convention.
