The Board of the Register of Damage Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine (RD4U) convened for its scheduled seventh meeting in Reykjavík, Iceland, on 16-19 June 2025 at the invitation of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland, Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir.
The Board expressed its gratitude to Iceland – the birthplace of the Register and the site of the historic 4th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe – for its continued support and steadfast commitment to justice and accountability for Ukraine.
The Board particularly appreciated the opportunity to meet the President of Iceland, Halla Tómasdóttir.
Recording of claims
During its meeting, the Board adopted seven decisions, resulting in the recording of 6,917 new claims in the Register. These claims relate to key categories such as internal displacement, missing and deceased immediate family members, and damage to residential property caused by the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.
These included the Board’s first decisions on two newly opened categories: nearly 4,000 claims concerning internally displaced persons and over 2,000 claims related to missing members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The Board also recorded claims regarding civilian and military deaths, and damage or destruction of homes.
Recording claims in the Register safeguards the rights of those affected and establishes a comprehensive record to support the future compensation mechanism, which may include a claims commission and a compensation fund.
Accountability for the children of Ukraine
During their visit to Reykjavík, Members of the Board participated in a high-level event titled “Justice and Accountability: Protecting Children in the War of Aggression against Ukraine”. The event was co-hosted by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Iceland, the Institute of International Affairs at the University of Iceland, and UNICEF Iceland.
The Special Envoy of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe on the situation of children of Ukraine, Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir, was joined by the Chair of the Board, Robert Spano, and Board Member Yulia Kyrpa as speakers at the event.
The event underscored the urgent need for accountability for the grave harm inflicted on children by Russia’s war of aggression, including through forcible transfers and unlawful deportations. Speaking at the event, the Chair of the Board presented the Register’s forthcoming plan to launch new claim categories specifically addressing harm suffered by children. This initiative represents a significant step in recognising the experiences of the youngest victims and laying the foundation for future compensation.
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. Claims can currently be submitted in ten 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)
- A3.2 (damage or destruction of non-residential immovable 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.
