<\/p>\n
Can a business receive compensation for lost assets?<\/strong><\/p>\n Since the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation into Ukraine, thousands of businesses have suffered from military actions: production facilities, warehouses, offices have been destroyed, and equipment and documentation lost. Some business owners lost everything, others are trying to recover operations.<\/p>\n According to 2022 results alone, at least 109 large and medium-sized enterprises suffered direct losses as a result of the full-scale invasion launched by Russia on February 24, 2022. This is based on assessments by the \u201cRussia Will Pay\u201d project by KSE Institute (an analytical center at the Kyiv School of Economics).<\/p>\n The total amount of direct losses incurred by enterprises, including state-owned and private entrepreneurs, is estimated at $13 billion. Of this, $9 billion is the share of losses from large and medium-sized businesses. Indirect losses amount to $33.1 billion. The required amount to restore enterprises is $24.9 billion.<\/p>\n Many businesses are actively pursuing judicial pathways. Analysts found at least 1,482 court rulings in the registry related to compensation claims against the Russian Federation:<\/p>\n 52 such rulings were issued in 2022; by 2024 the number grew to 812; and since the beginning of 2025, 213 rulings have already been made.<\/p>\n When it comes to the reality of receiving compensation for a lost business, we must understand: this is a complex and lengthy process. However, Ukraine, together with international partners, is steadily and persistently working in this direction. A concept of a Compensation Commission<\/strong> is currently under discussion \u2014 an administrative body authorized to review claims for damage caused by internationally wrongful acts of the Russian Federation in or against Ukraine.<\/p>\n It is clear that an adequate and up-to-date assessment of business losses is only possible if damages are properly and reliably documented by the business itself.<\/p>\n And this is a path only the business itself can take. The process begins with several essential steps:<\/p>\n \n STEP 1. Initial documentation of damage<\/strong><\/p>\n Golden rule: only damages that are properly recorded, verified, and documented will have legal significance.<\/p>\n Only \u201cwhite\u201d businesses (with official registration, accounting, and tax payments) have real chances for compensation \u2014 both from the state and international partners.<\/p>\n What to document:<\/strong><\/p>\n Damaged or destroyed real estate (buildings, warehouses, workshops)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Equipment, machinery, furniture<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Inventory, goods, documentation<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Vehicles, logistics assets<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n How to document:<\/strong><\/p>\n Photo and video with clear timestamps and location data<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Testimonies from employees, neighbors, security<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Drone footage, security camera recordings<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Police\/State Emergency Service\/military administration reports<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Inspection protocols (preferably with police participation)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Proper documentation within the first 72 hours<\/strong> is crucial for favorable outcomes in court or compensation programs.<\/p>\n \n STEP 2. Submitting an official statement<\/strong><\/p>\n Where to go:<\/strong><\/p>\n National Police \u2014 to register a criminal case (destruction = war crime)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Local Regional Military Administration (RMA) or Civil-Military Administration \u2014 to record consequences<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Prosecutor’s Office \u2014 to document the crime (Art. 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n How to submit:<\/strong><\/p>\n Statement in free form (in writing or by email)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Add photos, videos, asset descriptions, documents<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Indicate the date, coordinates, circumstances<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Deadlines:<\/strong><\/p>\n Although the law does not define a statute of limitations for such cases, it is recommended to file within 5\u20137 days<\/strong> of the incident \u2014 to preserve evidence and establish facts.<\/p>\n \n STEP 3. Collecting and preserving evidence<\/strong><\/p>\n What you need:<\/strong><\/p>\n Ownership documents (Real Estate Registry extract, lease agreements)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Inventory descriptions<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Accounting reports, reevaluation acts, photos<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Documents showing the value of equipment and goods<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Data on stock at the time of the attack (warehouse records, 1C, etc.)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Risk: if equipment or goods were not recorded in accounting \u2014 they legally \u201cdo not exist,\u201d and cannot be compensated.<\/strong><\/p>\n \n STEP 4. Submitting a compensation\/support application<\/strong><\/p>\n Possible channels:<\/strong><\/p>\n State programs:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n