The registry of damages from Russia's aggression could be fully operational by the end of the year, according to the Ministry of Justice.
The Ministry of Justice of Ukraine anticipates that by the end of 2025, applications for all categories can be submitted to the International Register of Damages caused by Russians through their war.
Such expectations were shared by the Deputy Minister of Justice of Ukraine Inna Bohatyh in an interview with Ukrinform.
The Ministry of Justice expects that by the end of 2025, the International Register of Damages inflicted by the Russian aggression against Ukraine will accept applications across all categories.
Currently, the register is accepting applications for the first two categories – related to the death of a close family member and the damage or destruction of housing. Over 14,000 applications have already been submitted under these categories.
The Deputy Minister reminded that a total of more than 40 categories are planned to be opened, allowing Ukrainians to file claims for compensation for damages suffered due to Russian aggression.
“Categories are being opened gradually, but I hope that there will be significant progress in this direction by 2025. Launching such a complex international tool takes a long time. Ensuring the technical capability to submit claims to the damage register and making the necessary amendments to our regulatory framework depends, among other things, on the speed of interaction among state agencies,” Bohatyh explained.
She added that the opening of each category requires specific technical work and coordination among several ministries – the Ministry of Digital Transformation, the Ministry of Justice, and other relevant ministries responsible for specific areas.
“For instance, when we open a category like ‘Demining and Clearance of Unexploded Ordnance,’ we will collaborate, in particular, with the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Internal Affairs,” Inna Bohatyh clarified.
According to the Ministry of Justice, an international agreement to establish a commission for reviewing claims is expected to be signed by the end of 2025.
Recently, the European Commission prepared a draft recommendation for the Council of the European Union to participate in the creation of an International Commission for the Settlement of Claims for Ukraine. This commission will be part of the mechanism for compensating Ukrainians for the damages caused by the Russians in their unprovoked war against the Ukrainian people.
ZMINA also reported on the emergence of a consultant providing explanations on how to file a claim in the International Register of Damages for victims of Russian aggression.
Recently, ZMINA noted that the International Register of Damages is strengthening cooperation with public organizations to provide more effective assistance to those affected by Russian aggression.
Recall that on January 21, 2025, the Coalition of Human Rights Organizations dealing with the protection of rights for those affected by armed aggression against Ukraine announced 13 priority steps for the Verkhovna Rada and the Cabinet of Ministers in the area of human rights protection amid armed aggression against Ukraine for 2025.
The human rights community in Ukraine has called on the authorities, in particular, to build a support system for maintaining connections with their citizens in occupied territories, which the aggressor country systematically attempts to sever. Among other recommendations in the document is a provision for implementing support programs for children and youth to assist their adaptation and integration after leaving occupation, particularly for continuing their education.
Additionally, the coalition published a roadmap of draft laws for the affected population ahead of the 13th session of the Verkhovna Rada, aimed at consolidating efforts, forming a coherent legislative policy, and ensuring effective assistance.
Based on the analysis of the draft laws presented in the roadmap, human rights defenders consider it important to draw the attention of the people's deputies of Ukraine to specific issues arising in the process of preparing and reviewing legislative initiatives on this topic.