ILI Head on Suspilne: Timely documentation of damage is a chance to receive compensation in the future
More than 340,000 real estate properties have been entered into the Register of Damaged and Destroyed Property as a result of the war, including around 300,000 residential properties. While state compensation mechanisms are available for damaged and destroyed housing, there is currently no specific program for individuals who have lost non-residential real estate. Tetiana Khutor, Head of the Institute of Legislative Ideas (ILI), said this during an interview on Suspilne.
“Individuals currently do not have access to a program that could at least partially compensate them for their losses,” the expert said.
According to her, this applies, in particular, to garages and other non-residential premises owned by individuals. The situation for businesses is somewhat different: since 2026, a mechanism has been in place that provides for partial compensation for certain types of damage to non-residential real estate.
“In the case of businesses, the situation is becoming more balanced. Since 2026, a mechanism has been in place that can provide partial compensation for certain types of damage caused to companies’ non-residential premises,” Tetiana Khutor noted.
She said that the ILI Analytical Center has developed an action algorithm for individuals and businesses whose non-residential property has been damaged or destroyed as a result of Russian attacks. It includes four main stages: initial documentation of the damage, reporting the incident to law enforcement authorities, inspection of the property by authorized bodies, and assessment of the losses incurred.
“The most important step is the initial documentation. After that, you need to contact law enforcement and officially report the crime. The next step is to contact the authorized bodies to have the property inspected. The fourth step is an assessment of the losses. If you are a victim, you have the opportunity to have this assessment carried out free of charge,” the ILI Head explained.
At the same time, Tetiana Khutor pointed out that even after completing all four stages, individuals currently cannot expect to receive compensation immediately. The key priority at this stage is to properly document the losses in order to have the opportunity to claim compensation in the future.
“Those affected will not receive money at this stage. However, it is very important to complete all four steps and document the damage. This procedure is provided for by national and international mechanisms,” the ILI Head emphasized.
She noted that international compensation mechanisms already provide for the possibility of documenting such losses, meaning that records of damage may become important in the future.
“There is a chance of receiving compensation for the losses incurred. Therefore, at this stage, the most important thing is to document the damage,” Tetiana Khutor concluded.
Watch the full broadcast here: