The Fuel and Energy Business Association (FEBA) continues to keep its finger on the pulse of key initiatives aimed at protecting the interests of Ukrainian and international investors. One of the most critical tools today is the Register of Damage for Ukraine (RD4U), established under the auspices of the Council of Europe.

On March 18, 2026, a landmark event took place involving the leadership of RD4U, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), and representatives of leading business associations. The primary focus was coordinating efforts to launch the compensation mechanism for legal entities.

We have prepared a detailed overview of how this tool will operate and what steps your business should take right now.

What is the Register of Damage and How Does It Work?

The Register of Damage for Ukraine (RD4U), supported by over 40 countries, is the first stage of a global reparations mechanism. Its mandate includes:

• Evidence Collection: Gathering claims and evidence of damage caused by Russian aggression starting from February 24, 2022.
• Geographic Scope: Recording losses across the entire internationally recognized territory of Ukraine, including Crimea and areas of Donbas occupied since 2014.
• Foundation for Payouts: Preparing the database for the future Claims Commission, which will directly award payments. The Register will eventually transform into this Commission.
• Current Status: Over 130,000 claims from individuals have already been received; more than 30,000 have been processed and deemed admissible.
• The Next Phase: The Register is on the verge of opening categories for legal entities, communities, and the state. Testing is currently underway, and we expect Categories B and C to open for business claims within the next few months.

Key Opportunities for Business

It is essential for businesses to know:

• Universal Eligibility: There is no nationality criteria. Claims can be filed by Ukrainian companies as well as foreign legal entities and investors who suffered losses in Ukraine.
• Priority for Critical Infrastructure: Separate categories (Group C1) have been designated for the rapid reconstruction of energy and other strategic sites, allowing these cases to be prioritized.
• Compensation for Lost Profits: Beyond physical damage to property, businesses can claim compensation for lost or unearned income (Category C3.1).
• Loss of Control Over Assets: Provisions exist to record losses stemming from a lack of access to property located in temporarily occupied territories.

Digitalization and Simplified Procedures

Claim submission (including editing, supplementing, or withdrawing) is conducted through the Diia system. A revolutionary digital power of attorney function has been implemented: a company head can authorize another person to file a claim in just 5 minutes while maintaining full control over the process.

When to Expect Payouts?

Creating a compensation mechanism during an ongoing war is an unprecedented step. The projected timeline is as follows:

• 2025: Collection of necessary ratifications to launch the Claims Commission.
• 2027–2028: The Commission is expected to begin substantive review of claims.
• Funding Sources: The primary source will be frozen Russian sovereign assets and reparation contributions.

Note: There is currently no final deadline set for submitting reparation claims to the Register of Damage across various categories!

Parallel Support: Domestic Tools Available Today

While the international mechanism is being built, Ukraine already offers short-term tools to mitigate war risks:

• Property Compensation: The government has tripled the maximum compensation for damaged or destroyed property to 30 million UAH.
• Insurance Support: Compensation for insurance premiums has been increased to 3 million UAH.
• Speed of Access: Businesses can now apply for insurance premium compensation as early as the 31st day after entering an insurance contract.

This allows businesses to combine two complementary strategies: recording full losses via RD4U for future reparations while utilizing state tools for immediate liquidity and risk management.

FEBA Recommendations for Preparation

To ensure a successful application, businesses should begin building their evidentiary base now:

• Inventory & Assessment: Conduct a full inventory. While RD4U does not mandate a specific methodology, your approach must be well-reasoned and documented.
• Register Updates: Ensure all property information is current in the State Register of Property Rights (DRRP).
• Narrative Building: Prepare a detailed narrative description of the events leading to the losses to establish a clear causal link.

The Register of Damage is the most realistic path to receiving actual reparations, backed by the political will of over 40 nations.

Official Website of the Register of Damage for Ukraine: https://www.rd4u.coe.int/uk

“Our common task is to ensure that the figures in the Register reflect the true scale of the harm. The aggressor must bear full financial responsibility for every destroyed facility and every lost opportunity for Ukrainian business.”

Stay tuned for our updates on the opening of new claim categories! Together toward recovery and justice!