On 23 April 2026, an online meeting was held to discuss the functioning of the Register of Damage Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine with a particular focus on the role of national associations and local self-government authorities in this process.
The meeting aimed to inform and engage Ukrainian local authorities and their national associations on the mandate and operations of the Register of Damage for Ukraine, while also exploring how these municipalities can support awareness-raising and the dissemination of information among their citizens.
Opening the discussion, Mathieu Mori, Secretary General of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, emphasised: “The Register of Damage is more than a technical instrument; it is a tool of justice that ensures violations are recognised and accountability will follow.”
Providing an update on progress, Markiyan Kliuchkovskyi, Executive Director of the Register of Damage for Ukraine, noted that demand continues to grow: “As of today, 145,000 claims have already been submitted to the Register of Damage. The above figure is significant but at the same time insufficient: it is significant because it represents individuals who have already taken the necessary steps to submit their claims, and at the same time it is insufficient given the much larger number of those affected.”
The meeting also provided an opportunity to exchange views on the challenges faced by local authorities in documenting war-related damage. Participants explored avenues for strengthened co-operation between the Register of Damage for Ukraine, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, the local authorities and their national associations, particularly in improving access to information and practical guidance.
Particular attention during the discussion was given to the perspectives of community representatives. Mariia Boichuk, Deputy Head of the Bilshivtsi Settlement Council, noted the progress achieved while also highlighting the need for further capacity building at the local level: “We are very grateful to the Council of Europe for the work already carried out and the support provided. At the same time, it is important for communities, especially smaller ones, to have broader opportunities for training and practical support in order to effectively work with the submission of claims and assist residents in using these mechanisms.”
The event was jointly organised with the Register of Damage Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine and “Strengthening multilevel governance and local democracy to support Ukraine's recovery”, implemented by the Centre of Expertise for Multilevel Governance at the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe within the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine “Resilience, Recovery and Reconstruction” for 2023-2026.
