When applying to the International Register of Losses, it is important not only to fill out an application, says Denis Maslov, but also to provide evidence in any order.
"And here I was raising a question to the government, so that the executive authorities could help citizens collect evidence. So that they don't do it on their own. It is clear that no one can do this without people, but some kind of scheme should be worked out, preferably as automated as possible, so that the acts drawn up by local authorities, inspection reports, information from other registers or law enforcement agencies are as accessible as possible to people to attach them to the relevant applications to the register of losses," Maslov said.
At the same time, Minister of Justice Denys Malyuska said that in the coming months, businesses will also be able to submit applications to the International Register of Losses. There will be about 40 criteria in total.
"The register is being opened in stages. We opened residential real estate first, because we have a Ukrainian register where this data is collected, so filing applications and understanding what to submit are very simplified," the minister said. He did not name the exact date when the register will be opened for business, as "there is still a lot of technical work to be done." He advised to collect evidence of property destruction as much as possible with the involvement of a forensic expert, an appraiser, who will determine and record the amount of damage.
At the same time, there is currently no approved methodology for calculating the amount of damages, said Denys Maslov. The Council of Europe should set up a compensation commission to consider such claims and determine the amount of damages. It is possible to use the case law of the European Court of Human Rights on just satisfaction, he added.
At the moment, Ukrainians can only count on compensation in theory and it is not known when.
"Let's face it. According to various estimates, we have 280-300 billion in frozen assets. No one will even say a specific figure. We should be allocated excess revenues from assets and taxation - 3.5 billion, which will primarily go to defence - 90%. About 150,000 infrastructure facilities, including residential buildings, have been destroyed. This is a colossal amount. I think even those 300 billion may not be enough.
But we must not forget that the greatest evil is actually damage to people's lives and health. And if we can even talk about compensation for the murder or injury of a person, given the number of cases that have already occurred, I can say for sure that no amount of frozen money from the Russian Federation will be enough," said the head of the Legal Policy Committee.
Different mechanisms can be used for reparations, the MP noted, but this requires Ukraine's victory.
"When we, together with the international community, pressure the aggressor to accept our terms, the Ukrainian formula for peace, then the process of compensation can last for many, many years. There are examples of Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, for example. When part of the oil sales went to the victims. That is, different mechanisms of reparations are possible. But first and foremost, we need to win the war," Maslov said.
According to him, the compensation commission will determine the priority of compensation together with Ukraine.
"And first and foremost, it should go to people whose lives and health have been harmed. Victims of sexual violence. People whose homes were destroyed or damaged. With all due respect to enterprises and business," Maslov added.
Justice Minister Denys Malyuska also said that businesses should hardly expect compensation unless we win the war on our terms and gain access to billions of Russian sovereign assets.