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Compensation for Destroyed Housing as a Tool for Protecting Rights Violated by War

August 5, 2025

What is the compensation mechanism for destroyed or damaged housing? Only 27% of respondents have a general idea about it, and 6% have never heard of the possibility of receiving compensation from the state. These are the results of a study conducted by Right to Protection Charitable Fund, with the support of the UN Refugee Agency and in cooperation with the Czech humanitarian organisation People in Need, in June.

Its results were presented during a forum in Kyiv. The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the compensation mechanism and identify areas for improvement. As of 15 April 2025, over 832,000 reports of damaged or destroyed housing had been submitted (according to the Ministry of Community and Territorial Development of Ukraine). However, only 25% of these reports were converted into compensation claims. And only 12.5% of the claims have been approved.

However, despite many Ukrainians having already received compensation, several challenges remain: complex procedures, limited access for vulnerable groups, and a lack of clear information, among others. In fact, 35% of respondents (who were aware of this possibility) reported that, despite the destruction or damage to their homes, they did not apply for compensation.

Based on the identified issues, R2P has prepared a series of recommendations in the following key directions:

- regulatory and legal improvements;

- technical refinement of digital tools and procedures;

- information support.

Therefore, participants in the Forum's discussion panels focused on finding solutions that would restore a sense of home to those affected.

(The results of the study will soon be published on R2P's website. The study was conducted with the support of the UN Refugee Agency and in cooperation with the Czech humanitarian organisation People in Need. It is funded by the European Union. The views and opinions expressed in this document are those of the author(s) alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or its partners. Neither the European Union nor its partners are responsible for them.)

Nadiya Kovalchuk

Programme Director of Right to Protection

It is crucial to monitor and improve the compensation mechanism and receive feedback. This study is one of the tools used to measure what is happening. In particular, 36% of respondents said that they continue to live in damaged housing. Over half said that the funds they received through the mechanism were insufficient to resolve their housing issues. 11% stopped renovating their homes because, again, there were insufficient funds. These figures are about people. We must seek solutions for people and provide them with what will make them feel at home.

Olena Shuliak

Member of Parliament of Ukraine

Unfortunately, there are cities in Ukraine today that have been almost entirely destroyed by russia. Specific criteria need to be established for such cities, particularly for people whose homes have been destroyed in these areas. There should be a simple procedure for them to apply for compensation. After all, bureaucratic obstacles and the need to prove ownership of destroyed housing in such settlements greatly slow down the process of obtaining compensation.

Nataliia Kozlovska

Deputy Minister for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine

It is worth emphasising the joint responsibility of the state and citizens to ensure the availability of compensation instruments that enable the acquisition of residential property. We urge citizens to take their title documents and enter information about property rights in the State Register of Real Rights to Immovable Property, thereby simplifying the state's work in providing compensation for damaged or destroyed housing.

Lidiia Kuzmenko

UNHCR Protection Officer

The compensation mechanism cannot exist independently of support for human self-reliance, including psychosocial recovery and access to livelihoods. This is not always spelt out in laws, but it shapes state policy responses to internal displacement. Comprehensive solutions must include all of these elements in addition to housing.

Olha Altunina

a Representative of the Ombudsman's Office

Every year, the number of complaints received by the Office of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights increases significantly. While we received 44,000 complaints in 2022, we received 123,000 complaints last year, and this year we have already received over 80,000. This suggests that there is a high demand for justice and the protection of rights within Ukrainian society. Therefore, in addition to the national mechanism, it is necessary to inform the public about the International Register of Damage to Ukraine. Local authorities should launch information campaigns, particularly in areas with the highest number of internally displaced persons.

Pavlo Frolov

Member of Parliament of Ukraine, Chairman of the Temporary Special

The state compensation programme does not apply to people who have lost access to their homes in the temporarily occupied territory, or whose homes have been damaged or destroyed. This is the most painful issue for displaced persons. To address this issue, legislative changes are necessary, along with a commitment from the state to conduct remote surveys of such housing using satellites and drones. International humanitarian organisations can also be involved to confirm the destruction of this housing.

Hanna Khrystova

Head of the Kyiv Office of the Register of Damage Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine

Those who have suffered are the last people who need disappointment. They need to know what has already been done and which categories of claims are already open for submission to the Register. To date, we have over 40,000 claims submitted to the Register of Damage to Ukraine — that is 40,000 human destinies and reported human tragedies. However, this does not accurately reflect the extent of the damage caused. Therefore, a great deal of work lies ahead. Each claim submitted contributes to the formation of an international compensation mechanism.