The Board and Executive Director of the Register of Damage for Ukraine (RD4U) successfully concluded a two-day visit to Kyiv, marking an important step forward in bringing justice for victims of Russia's aggression. Central to the visit was the announcement of the launch of six new claims categories, significantly increasing access to justice for those most severely affected by the war. These newly introduced categories encompass involuntary internal displacement, serious personal injury, sexual violence, torture, deprivation of liberty, and forced labour.

This announcement was made at a meeting with the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal, Deputy Head of the Office of the President, Iryna Mudra, and Deputy Minister of Justice, Liudmyla Suhak. The Prime Minister welcomed these new developments, reaffirming Ukraine's commitment to ensuring comprehensive support and reparations for victims.

The Executive Director of RD4U concluded a pivotal Memorandum of Cooperation with the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine and the Coordination Centre for Legal Aid during a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration and Minister of Justice of Ukraine, Olha Stefanishyna. This Memorandum will ensure that all individuals who seek to submit claims to the Register will get the necessary legal support free of charge. This will enhance access to justice for the victims of the war.

During the visit, the RD4U delegation met with the Acting Prosecutor General Oleksiy Khomenko, and signed an agreement that sets a framework for granting the Register crucial access to evidence collected by Ukrainian law enforcement agencies, significantly strengthening the Register's ability to assess claims for recording and to ensure accurate documentation of war-related damage.

Further engagements included deeply impactful conversations with victims and survivors of war crimes, underscoring the critical human dimension of the Register's work. This emotional exchange reinforced RD4U's ongoing commitment to ensuring that victims' voices are heard.

The Board of RD4U and its Executive Director engaged in dialogue with Members of Parliament, the Parliament’s Commissioner for Human Rights and the Ombudsperson’s office, legal experts at the Ukrainian Bar Association, and business leaders at the Kyiv School of Economics,  as well as a meeting with the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine.

The delegation also visited Borodyanka to pay tribute to victims and to engage directly with local community representatives.

The Board concluded its visit by reaffirming the Register’s collaboration with the Civil Society Coordination Platform, emphasizing the essential role of civil society organisations in achieving justice and reparations for affected communities.

The Register of Damage for Ukraine remains committed to strengthening support and access to justice for all victims of the war.

Statement of the Board of the Register of Damage for Ukraine following the Visit to Kyiv

"Our visit to Kyiv was profoundly moving and deeply humbling. Hearing directly from survivors of war crimes strengthened our resolve and underscored the critical importance of our mission. Each claim submitted to the Register represents an individual's story of loss, resilience, and determination for justice. We honour their courage and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to acknowledging their suffering and supporting meaningful pathways towards compensation.

We express sincere appreciation for the steadfast dedication of Ukraine's leaders, legal experts, and civil society partners, whose tireless efforts enhance our shared pursuit of justice and accountability. The agreements reached and the launching of new claims categories represent significant, practical steps towards restoring dignity to those who have endured unimaginable hardship and suffering.

We leave Kyiv inspired and resolute. The path to justice may be long, but through continued collaboration, perseverance, and respect for the strength of those we serve, we remain dedicated to ensuring that victims' voices are heard, their rights protected, and their sacrifices fully recognised."

Recording of claims

The Board advanced the claims process for victims of Russia’s war against Ukraine by adopting key decisions to record claims in categories A2.1 (death of immediate family members) and A3.1 (damage or destruction of residential property).

Four decisions recorded a total of 4,464 claims after thorough verification to ensure accuracy. These include claims for destroyed homes from various Ukrainian locations previously verified by Ukraine’s Register of Damaged and Destroyed Property (RDDP) and claims from Mariupol, Sievierodonetsk, and Popasna, further validated through satellite imagery.

Among the recorded claims, there are 387 claims regarding the death of immediate family members – including deaths of civilians and members of the Ukrainian Armed Forced and Territorial Defense – addressed for the first time since the opening of Category A2.1 for submission of claims on 16 January 2025. Verification relied on data from Ukraine's Register of Civil Status Acts, along with death certificates, medical records and other evidence provided by claimants.

Recording these claims safeguards victims' rights and establishes a foundation for future compensation mechanisms, including a claims commission and a compensation fund. These decisions underscore the Register's commitment to justice and transparent reparations for those affected.

Register of Damage for Ukraine

The Register of Damage for Ukraine, established under the auspices of the Council of Europe, serves as an essential step toward an international compensation mechanism. Currently, claims can be submitted in nine categories:

• A1.1 (involuntary internal displacement)
• A2.1 (death of an immediate family member)
• A2.2 (missing immediate family member)
• A2.3 (serious personal injury)
• A2.4 (sexual violence)
• A2.5 (torture, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment)
• A2.6 (deprivation of liberty)
• A2.7 (forced labour or service)
• A3.1 (damage or destruction of residential property)

Additional categories of claims will be launched in due course. 

The Register continues to encourage all eligible individuals to submit their claims. Information on claims categories, eligibility criteria, and submission procedures is available on the Register’s website.