Ukrainians can now claim compensation for deaths of their loved ones

Ukrainians who have lost their loved ones in the war can now get compensated for their loss through a mechanism called the Register of Damages for Ukraine.

On Thursday, the day that the system opened to the public, the Register of Damages for Ukraine based in The Hague received thousands of requests from people whose close relatives died as a result of the Russian invasion.

The institution was opened last year and is designed to function as a record of all eligible claims seeking reparation for the damage, loss and injury following Moscow’s February 24, 2022 attack on its neighbour.

“Starting today, family members who lost a close relative due to Russia’s full‑scale invasion of Ukraine may seek compensation for their own mental pain and anguish by submitting a claim,” the Register said.

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“This marks a significant step forward in addressing the immense personal suffering caused by Russia’s aggression, providing a pathway for families to seek justice and recognition for their profound loss,” it said in a statement.

How will it work?

The Register was established by the Council of Europe and joined by the European Union and will ultimately work out a financial total to extract reparations from Moscow.

Last year, a category was introduced for claiming damages and property destruction, which has now been expanded to include parents, spouses, civil partners, and children of individuals who lost their lives due to the invasion.

How can people stake their claim?

Relatives of the deceased can log into the Ukrainian digital system called ‘Diia’ to register their claims.

So far, some 13,000 claims amounting to more than 800 million euros ($821 million) have been received, in the initial category, the Register said.

“Claims by other family members may also be eligible if they can demonstrate a legitimate interest, by proving the existence of close ties and elements of dependence with the family member,” the Register said.

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It added that a claimant will be required to provide information related to their identity, the identity of the dead, their relationship with the deceased and how they died.

With inputs from AFP