RECOVERING WAR-RELATED LOSSES: PRAGNUM SUPPORTS BUSINESSES AFFECTED BY RUSSIAN MISSILE ATTACKS

Supporting businesses whose operations and property have been damaged by Russian attacks is more than just another area of legal practice for our team. It is an opportunity to help Ukrainian companies recover, preserve jobs, and resume their operations.

Recently, PRAGNUM Partner and Attorney-at-Law Oleksii Nekrasov spoke at a roundtable dedicated to supporting businesses affected by the recent Russian attack on Kyiv's Lukianivka district, including companies operating in the destroyed KVADRAT shopping mall.

The event was organized by the Shevchenkivskyi District State Administration in Kyiv in cooperation with the SME Support Committee of the Kyiv Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

During his presentation, Oleksii addressed the key legal issues businesses face in the aftermath of an attack, including:

• how to document property damage and preserve evidence;
• what to do if accounting records or other corporate documents have been lost or destroyed;
• what legal mechanisms are currently available to recover war-related losses through court proceedings.

Our experience shows that the actions taken immediately after an attack often determine a company's ability to recover its losses in the future. Proper documentation of damage, restoration of lost records, and a well-planned legal strategy create the foundation for pursuing compensation, insurance claims, and recovery funding.

The event also featured remarks by Dmytro Kurochka, Deputy Head of the Shevchenkivskyi District State Administration; Oleksandr Lypskyi, Head of the SME Support Committee of the Kyiv CCI; and representatives of the Kyiv City Employment Centre.

Following the roundtable, the PRAGNUM team welcomed representatives of affected businesses to our office for individual consultations and the development of tailored legal action plans.

📩 If your business has suffered damage as a result of russian attacks, feel free to contact us for an initial consultation.

The PRAGNUM team will assess your situation, help define the most effective legal strategy, and provide comprehensive legal support in pursuing compensation for war-related losses.

See below for a step-by-step guide.

Business Property Damaged in a Missile or Drone Attack: A Practical Legal Guide

Another devastating night for Kyiv and Ukraine… We extend our deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wish a speedy recovery to everyone injured in Russia's latest attack.

Among the damaged properties are not only residential buildings, but also offices, manufacturing facilities, warehouses, retail stores, and other business premises. In the immediate aftermath of an attack, people's safety always comes first. As soon as circumstances allow, however, it is essential to properly document the damage. The actions taken during the first hours can significantly affect a company's ability to recover its losses in the future.

Below is a practical step-by-step guide for businesses whose property has been damaged.

STEP-BY-STEP ACTION PLAN

tep 1. Document the damage

• Take photographs and videos of all damage.
• Contact the police and the State Emergency Service to obtain the required official reports.
• Obtain an extract from the Unified Register of Pre-Trial Investigations (URPI) and victim status.
• Register the damaged property in Ukraine's State Register of Damaged and Destroyed Property.

Step 2. Gather supporting documents

Collect documents confirming:

• ownership of the damaged property;
• the amount of losses incurred;
• the causal link between the damage and Russia's armed aggression.

Step 3. Obtain an independent damage assessment

Engage a certified valuer or forensic expert.

Important: Ukrainian court practice now requires valuation reports to be supported by primary accounting records. A valuation report alone is generally insufficient.

Claims for lost profits should also be supported by financial statements and evidence of contracts that could not be performed.

Step 4. Submit a claim to the Register of Damage for Ukraine (RD4U)

Businesses can now submit claims through the Diia portal.

Registration is the first step towards future compensation through the international compensation mechanism.

Step 5. File a claim with the Commercial Court

Bringing a claim against the Russian Federation is not merely a procedural formality—it is an important legal instrument.

A court judgment:

• officially confirms the fact and amount of damages;
• strengthens the claim submitted to the Register of Damage;
• may serve as a basis for future compensation and accounting write-offs of destroyed assets.

Important: Claimants are exempt from paying court fees.

Step 6. Explore available state support programmes

Businesses may also benefit from government support measures, including:

• the 5–7–9% Affordable Loans Programme;
• the Made in Ukraine grant programme;
• the Support Point wage compensation programme for employees during downtime.

Read our comprehensive guide, including legal commentary, a detailed list of required documents, and practical recommendations, on our website. The link is available in the first comment.
Please save and share this guidance with businesses that may need it.