Fixing damages after shelling: algorithm of actions and legal support

Correct and timely recording of the consequences of the landing is a key prerequisite for filing claims for compensation and protecting the interests of the owner. Turning to lawyers guarantees the correctness of the procedure and compliance with the deadlines, and also helps to avoid mistakes that may complicate obtaining compensation.

Regular shelling leads to the destruction of commercial real estate, industrial premises and infrastructure of enterprises. Correct and timely recording of the consequences of the landing is a key prerequisite for filing claims for compensation and protecting the interests of the owner. In this article, we will consider how to correctly record the damage, what evidence has legal force and how the lawyers of the company “DE-JURE” help on the way to receiving compensation.

Why record the impact?

Recording the effects of shelling has three key goals:

• safety and planning for further work. An initial inspection allows you to make decisions about emergency or conservation measures, minimize risks to people and prepare the site for restoration;
• obtaining compensation. Recording is mandatory for restoration and compensation procedures – standard acts, photo recording and entering data into registers form the legal basis for compensation for damages;
• creating a proper evidentiary base. It is necessary for criminal proceedings, disputes with responsible authorities and potential international protection mechanisms.

Therefore, if you have been in an accident and an impact occurred, be sure to record it properly.

List of regulatory documents that can be referred to in matters of recording arrivals

A number of regulatory legal acts are used in the field of recording the consequences of shelling and subsequent receipt of compensation. The main legal basis is the Law of Ukraine No. 2923-IX, which defines the mechanisms of compensation for damage and destruction of certain categories of real estate. It is this that all subordinate legislation should be guided by, even taking into account possible conflicts with previously adopted norms. Other documents are also used:

• Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine (CMU) No. 473, which regulates the conduct of urgent work, commission and technical inspection of objects, in particular to assess their operational suitability;
• Resolution of the CMU No. 257 establishes a mechanism for inspecting objects, including those that are not put into operation, which is important to consider in practice;
• Resolution of the CMU No. 624 details certain organizational aspects of recording damage;
• Order of the Ministry of Regional Development No. 144 defines the methods of examination and registration of results;
• Resolution No. 815 allows remote examination in safe conditions.

Correct application of the above regulations requires a systematic approach and consideration of their interaction in practice. Therefore, it is worth contacting a lawyer to find out how these laws can help in a specific case. A qualified lawyer is able to correctly build the fixation procedure, avoid typical mistakes and provide an appropriate legal basis for further compensation and protection of the interests of the owner.

Who participates in recording the consequences of the landing?

The process of recording damage is multi-level and involves the participation of several entities, each of which performs a clearly defined role. Coordinated actions of all participants allow for the correct recording of the consequences of the shelling and the formation of an appropriate legal basis for further procedures. The main participants in recording include:

• the owner or manager of the facility. Carries out the initial recording, collects photo and video materials, forms and provides technical, design and legal documentation;
• local government bodies. Initiates the creation of commissions, organizes an inspection of the facility, ensures the involvement of experts and entry of data into the relevant systems;
• the inspection commission. Directly conducts the inspection, records the damage and draws up the results in accordance with established procedures;
• the State Emergency Service, police, SBU. Ensures security at the scene and initiates criminal proceedings;
• public registration bodies. Administers the registers necessary for compensation.

Coordinated work of all participants significantly increases the chances of successful restoration and compensation for damages. However, unfortunately, the authorities do not always work in a coordinated manner, and constant control by the owner or lawyers is required.

Algorithm for recording the consequences of an accident

The procedure for recording the consequences of an accident is a clear step-by-step algorithm of actions for the affected persons, which ensures the formation of an adequate evidence base and the possibility of receiving compensation. At each stage, there are nuances that directly affect the result.

1. Initial actions and collection of evidence. Immediately after the accident, when it is safe, the owner or manager of the facility must collect all available legal, technical and design documents, make photo and video recordings of the damage with reference to the date, time and location. At the same time, local governments or the Action/ASC should be notified to initiate the official recording procedure. The Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), in turn, accepts the initial application, systematizes the documents and provides methodological recommendations for forming a package of evidence for further examination.
2. Commission review and initial act. Local governments create a commission to inspect the facility. It is important for the owner to monitor the correctness of the specified address, identification of the object and the completeness of the description of the damage. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry involves its experts in checking the initial recording, helps to correct the documents and draws up a primary act with photographic materials, layout diagrams of the premises and inventory numbers. This act is the basis for the expert opinion and subsequent compensation.
3. Technical inspection and expert opinions of the Chamber of Commerce. Based on the results of the commission inspection, the Chamber of Commerce conducts a technical inspection of the object: assesses the structural condition, determines the danger of further operation and forms an expert opinion. This opinion confirms the causal relationship of the destruction with the armed aggression of the Russian Federation, summarizes the primary documents and photographic materials, and serves as an official evidentiary package for national and international compensation mechanisms.
4. Entering data into registers and preparing for compensation. After drawing up the expert opinion, the data is entered into state registers. The CCI ensures the verification of documents and control of the completeness of the information entered, which is critical for the subsequent processing of compensation. A properly completed package of documents allows you to protect the rights of the injured person and ensures participation in state and international mechanisms for compensation for damages.

It should be remembered that the submission of documents for compensation must be carried out within the deadlines established by law – usually within six months from the date of the event or the preparation of the primary act of fixation. Compliance with these deadlines is critically important for ensuring the right to compensation. Given the complexity of the procedure, numerous documents and requirements for the evidentiary base, it is optimal to involve a qualified lawyer or advocate who will accompany the process.

Special cases of recording arrivals

In some cases, difficulties may arise with recording the consequences of the arrival. But even in such situations, it is worth doing everything possible to record and submit documents for compensation for damages.

• remote inspection. Sometimes conducting an on-site inspection is impossible due to active hostilities or danger to people. In such cases, remote inspection is allowed. This procedure is provided for by the Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 815 of July 7, 2025, which regulates the inspection of destroyed property using satellite imagery, photo and video recording. The resolution describes in detail the requirements for materials and the algorithm for the work of local government commissions. The conclusions of the remote inspection form the evidentiary basis for the subsequent preparation of an expert opinion of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. At the same time, remote inspection is used only for completely destroyed property and does not replace an on-site inspection where it is possible;
• damage to buildings located near the place of arrival. It happens that after the impact, one building collapses, neighboring high-rise buildings receive minor damage, and local governments record only the directly affected object. Neighboring buildings are inspected superficially or not inspected at all, which creates a problem of confirming the damage. In such cases, the key is photo and video recording with the date and reference to the object, as well as collected statements from apartment owners. If the commission is inaction, you can submit an information message through the Action or the Central Administrative Court, after which the countdown of the deadlines for appealing the inaction of the body begins according to the norms of the Code of Administrative Procedure. This approach creates the basis for possible judicial protection of the rights of the owners and obtaining compensation;
• remote consequences. Not all consequences of the explosion manifest themselves immediately. This is especially true for old buildings with significant structural wear. For example, roofs, fasteners or coatings can shift due to deformation caused by the blast wave and gradually collapse. In such cases, recording the actual technical condition of the facility is critical for proving the causal relationship and the extent of damage. Photo and video recording methods are used, as well as technical expert opinions on design and non-design impacts on structures. This data becomes the basis for damage assessment by estimators and the formation of a compensation package. It is important to remember that even remote consequences fall under Resolution No. 257;
• facilities that are not yet put into operation. Arrival can occur in a structure that is under construction and not yet put into operation. In such cases, local governments sometimes refuse to record damage, citing the fact that the ownership is not registered and compensation is “not provided for”. This creates legislative contradictions, but the damage must be recorded for possible subsequent entry into the state or international register. There was a similar case in the practice of lawyers at DE-JURE. Our client was building a multi-storey building that suffered significant damage as a result of a missile strike. The local government initially refused to commission the fixing. With the assistance of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, an inspection was conducted, a report was drawn up, and documents confirming the damage were collected.

Understanding the fixing mechanism in special cases can be difficult. Therefore, it is worth contacting a qualified lawyer to protect your rights.

How can DE-JURE help with fixing losses?

DE-JURE lawyers support all stages: preparation of applications and a package of documents, execution of photo and video fixation acts, monitoring compliance with the commission inspection procedures and the correctness of entering data into state registers. We also help clients in special cases: when the object has not been put into operation or a remote inspection is required. Contacting specialists guarantees the correctness of the procedure and compliance with deadlines, and also helps to avoid errors that may complicate obtaining compensation.