Inspection and Documentation of Damages from Hostilities of the Russian Federation
Purpose of the article: to highlight the key aspects of the process of inspecting and documenting damages caused by hostilities of the Russian Federation, in accordance with Ukrainian legislation, taking into account the practical experience of GlobalBud Ukraine.
What is Inspection and Documentation of Damages from Hostilities?
Inspection and documentation of damages is a legally and technically formalized process of collecting evidence of damage or destruction of property (residential, public, industrial facilities) as a result of the military aggression of the Russian Federation. This data serves as the basis for further compensation of damages through national or international judicial institutions.
Who Needs to Document Damages and Why?
Damage documentation is a necessary condition for:
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receiving compensation from the state;
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filing claims with international courts;
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participation in recovery programs (including “eRecovery”);
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confirmation of force majeure circumstances;
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protection of interests in disputes with contractors or insurance companies.
This is relevant for:
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individuals (homeowners);
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legal entities (enterprises, businesses);
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local self-government bodies.
Legislative Regulation
The procedure of documenting damages is regulated by the following legal acts:
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Law of Ukraine “On the Legal Regime of Martial Law”;
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Law of Ukraine “On Regulation of Urban Development Activities”;
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Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 326 dated 20.03.2022 “On Collecting Information about Damaged and Destroyed Property”;
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DSTU-N B V.1.2-18:2016 — on building and structure inspections;
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Order of the Ministry of Infrastructure No. 408 dated 28.04.2022 — defines technical requirements for inspection reports.
How Damage Documentation is Conducted: Stages
1. Initial inspection and photo documentation
Recording of the actual condition of the facility includes:
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photo and video recording;
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coordinates of the facility;
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description of the type of destruction (complete destruction, partial damage, etc.).
2. Engineering and technical inspection
Performed by certified specialists. The result is a technical report with a detailed description of damages.
3. Preparation of a defect report
Includes a list of all damaged structural elements, equipment, engineering networks, etc. Important for further cost assessment of restoration.
4. Damage cost estimation
Based on the defect report, an expert estimate is prepared in accordance with current building codes and material prices.
5. Legal support
Preparation of documents for submission:
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to local self-government bodies;
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to international institutions;
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to judicial authorities.
What Documents are Needed for Damage Documentation?
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Ownership documents;
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Technical documentation of the facility (if available);
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Photo/video evidence of damages;
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SES (State Emergency Service) reports (if works were carried out);
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Eyewitness testimonies (if necessary).
Common Mistakes in Documenting Damages
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Untimely documentation of destruction — should be done immediately after the incident.
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Lack of technical inspection — photos alone are not enough.
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Improperly prepared reports — without compliance with legal requirements.
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Appealing to non-professional “experts” — leads to refusals in compensation.
Example: Documentation of Damages to an Industrial Warehouse
A company contacted GlobalBud Ukraine after an airstrike that damaged metal roof structures and external walls. Our specialists:
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carried out a technical inspection;
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prepared a defect report;
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compiled cost estimate documentation for restoration;
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provided legal support for submission to the recovery fund.
As a result, the client received confirmation of damages totaling over 12 million UAH and submitted documents to an international fund.
Order Damage Documentation — Why You Should Contact GlobalBud Ukraine
Our team provides comprehensive services for inspection, assessment, and legal documentation of damages caused by hostilities, including:
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technical expertise of facilities of any complexity;
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preparation of defect reports and cost estimates;
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support in court and claims procedures;
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cooperation with individuals, legal entities, and international organizations.
Contact Us If You Need:
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to document destruction of housing, business facilities, or infrastructure;
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to obtain a professional report for compensation or court;
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to engage engineers and lawyers working under Ukrainian and international law.
