The Register of Damage for Ukraine has opened several new categories of claims for compensation resulting from Russia’s war of aggression.
The new categories concern damage to cultural and historic heritage, the loss of gainful employment and the loss of control by businesses of property in temporarily occupied territories.
The vulnerability of Europe’s cultural heritage – including in Ukraine – is one of the main themes of this year’s European Heritage Days initiative, launched across the continent on 3 September.
Almost 190,000 claims received in over 30 categories
The Register of Damage – which opened for the submission of claims in April 2024, within the institutional framework of the Council of Europe – constitutes a record of eligible claims for compensation submitted by individuals, organisations and the Ukrainian state.
The register, which is based in The Hague, has already received almost 190,000 claims for damage, loss or injury arising from Russia’s aggression. Some 58,000 of those claims have been recorded in the register, with the remainder still under review.
The new categories of claims bring the overall number of categories to more than 30. By the end of September 2026, all of the planned categories of claims are due to be open, including forthcoming categories related to loss of access to healthcare and education, as well as damage to the environment and natural resources.
Towards a comprehensive compensation mechanism
Work to establish an International Claims Commission for Ukraine, the second component of a comprehensive compensation mechanism, is well underway. The convention establishing the claims commission has already been signed by 39 states and the European Union.
Once established, the International Claims Commission will build on the work of the Register of Damage for Ukraine. It will review, assess and decide upon claims recorded in the register and determine the amount of compensation due in each case.
The International Claims Commission will also consider claims received after the register becomes integrated into the claims commission, as foreseen under the convention.
The Council of Europe’s support for Ukraine
