New Developments in the Damage Register: 27,500 Claims Filed

The International Damage Register for losses caused by Russian aggression against Ukraine has received 27,500 claims across various categories.

Source: "European Truth" referring to DW

Executive Director of the Register, Markiyan Klyuchkovsky, stated: "As of today, approximately 27,500 claims have been submitted in various categories. The largest number pertains to housing destruction, which has been open the longest. In this category, we allow applicants to assess the extent of their losses. We observe that the average claim amount in this category is around 60,000 to 62,000 euros."

Details: According to him, the total estimated value of losses recorded in these claims reaches approximately one billion euros.

Klyuchkovsky added that in other non-material categories, claimants are not required to assess their losses.

"We understand that the loss of life cannot be quantified, nor can the disappearance of a loved one. The assessment of compensation in such claims will be handled by a future compensation commission that will consider them substantively," he emphasized.

He stressed that no payments have been made on the claims yet, as a compensation mechanism has not yet been established. Klyuchkovsky cannot predict when these payments might begin but believes they should occur in the foreseeable future.

"We are talking about years, not months. We hope this will not take 10 years but rather within one, two, three, or maybe five years," he said.

He believes that much depends on the political and geopolitical situation.

Klyuchkovsky also mentioned that next week, a second round of formal negotiations regarding the establishment of a compensation mechanism will take place in The Hague.

"The roadmap for this process anticipates its completion by the end of next year. After that, we will wait for ratification and hope that in 2026 it will come into force, and the commission will start operating," he summarized.

Background:

• The agreement on the Damage Register from Russian aggression was adopted in May 2023 at the Council of Europe summit in Iceland. Markiyan Klyuchkovsky was appointed as the Executive Director of the Register based in The Hague.
• The Register is the first step towards creating a mechanism that will ensure compensation payments to those affected by the war. It has been joined by 43 states and the European Union.
• Previously, claims regarding the death or disappearance of a close family member and damage or destruction of residential property could be submitted to RD4U.