Windows shattered by shelling: a lawyer explains how to get compensation and why “eVidnovlennia” doesn’t always work
27 May 15:22
Following Russian shelling, Ukrainians often face not only damaged homes but also bureaucratic hurdles when applying for compensation. The situation is particularly difficult when broken windows need to be replaced immediately, yet the government’s “e-Restoration” program does not work as quickly as those affected expect.
Natalia Prudnikova, a lawyer and partner at the “Aktum” law firm , explained in a comment to "Komersant Ukrainian" how compensation for damaged windows is supposed to work, why people may be denied or have to wait months for an inspection, and what documents need to be gathered to avoid losing the chance for reimbursement.
What is “eVidnovlennia” and who is eligible
According to Natalia Prudnikova, “eVidnovlennia” is a state compensation program for citizens whose homes were damaged or destroyed due to Russian military aggression. Assistance may be provided in the form of funds for repairs or a housing certificate for the purchase of a new apartment or house.
The expert emphasizes: the program is available only to individuals and only when residential property has been damaged.
“It is important to note that the e-Restoration program is available only to individuals. Additionally, the program provides compensation only if the residential premises have been damaged,” explains Natalia Prudnikova.
In other words, if windows were broken in a building owned by a legal entity, or if the property is a non-residential building, this compensation mechanism does not apply.
How the program works
In theory, the process for the affected person is quite straightforward. The person must submit an application through “Diy, ” a Public Service Center (PSC), or a notary, attach photos of the damage, open a special “e-Restoration” account at a bank, and then wait for the commission’s inspection and the calculation of compensation.
“After that, you wait 30 days for the commission’s inspection and the calculation of compensation. You can use the funds at stores or construction companies that are participants in ‘e-Restoration.’ After that, you submit a report on the intended use of the funds,” the lawyer notes.
However, in practice, things often turn out to be much more complicated.
Why “E-Recovery” Might Not Work
The first problem, according to the expert, arises when the documents for the property are not in order. This is a fairly common situation: people may not have finalized the inheritance, may not have privatized the apartment, may have documents in the old registry, or may not have gathered all the co-owners.
“The e-Restoration program won’t work if the electronic registry lacks data on all verified property owners,” emphasizes Natalia Prudnikova.
If the documents are not in order, resolving the issue can take months or even years. In some cases, it is necessary to go to court.
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What is needed for faster compensation processing
For the program to work faster, ownership of the property must be registered in the new electronic registry. If there are multiple owners, all of them must sign the compensation application.
“In short, for the program to work more or less quickly, ownership must generally be registered in the new electronic registry, and if there are multiple owners, all must sign the claim for compensation for damages. Otherwise, the procedure will take a little longer due to the need to notify them,” explains the attorney.
But even properly prepared documents do not guarantee a quick payout. People may wait months for the commission to inspect the property—due to complex technical inspections, the need to involve experts, or simply because of the heavy workload and large number of applications.
If only the windows are damaged: what to do
Natalia Prudnikova advises first assessing the extent of the damage and the urgency of the repairs. If the house is generally intact, the dwelling is habitable, and the problem lies mainly in broken windows, you can look for other sources of assistance.
This includes local programs, charitable foundations, or repairs at your own expense.
At the same time, the lawyer warns: if a person has already installed windows at their own expense, it will not be possible to use “e-Recovery” funds as retroactive compensation.
“It will no longer be possible to install windows using ‘e-Restoration’ funds, as restoration funds are allocated strictly for their intended purpose and cannot be spent otherwise—for example, withdrawn in cash to cover expenses already incurred,” the expert explains.
When to wait for “e-Restoration”
If your home needs more than just new windows—if it requires more substantial repairs—it may be worth waiting for the program.
According to Natalia Prudnikova, “e-Restoration” provides compensation of up to 200,000 UAH for routine repairs and up to 500,000 UAH for major repairs.
Therefore, if the damage is significant, it’s best not to rush into a full renovation at your own expense, but to go through the process of damage assessment and inspection first.
Where to Get Faster Assistance
Separately, the lawyer advises contacting local authorities, the district administration, or the city or village council. Many communities have programs that can provide assistance faster than state compensation.
Local communities, military-civilian administrations, housing and utilities departments, or homeowners’ associations can provide plastic sheeting to temporarily cover windows to prevent further damage to the home. In some cities, they may also assist with double-pane windows—with support from international funds or using local budgets.
According to the expert, there are also local programs where funds can be obtained more quickly—sometimes within a week or two.
What assistance can Kyiv residents receive?
Natalia Prudnikova cites the example of Kyiv. According to her, in the capital, the local territorial community provides one-time targeted financial assistance to Kyiv residents who find themselves in difficult life circumstances due to damage to their house or apartment.
The amount of such assistance can be 10,000 or 40,000 UAH, depending on the date of the damage. To apply, you must contact the Department of Social and Veterans’ Policy of the Kyiv City State Administration.
You must bring your passport, tax ID number, documents proving ownership of the property, a report from the housing maintenance office or homeowners’ association confirming the damage, as well as a bank account statement.
Why a report from the housing office or homeowners’ association is important
After shelling, it is important not only to take photos but also to officially document the damage. To do this, you need to contact the municipal enterprise “Management Company,” the housing and utilities office (ZHEK), or the homeowners’ association (OSBB) with a request for an inspection.
They must draw up a damage report or a certificate. This document will be needed to apply for assistance from the local community or charitable foundations.
“It is important not to confuse this inspection with the commission inspection report under the E-Recovery program; these are different types of inspections,” emphasizes Natalia Prudnikova.
If the windows were installed at your own expense
If a person decided not to wait and installed windows at their own expense, they need to gather all official documents: receipts, a contract, and certificates of completion.
After that, the amount of damage can be claimed through another legal mechanism— the International Register of Damages. The claim is submitted through “Diy” or the Administrative Service Center.
“Under this program, funds are not yet being disbursed, but such compensation is expected later. You will be placed on a waiting list; in this registry, you can also claim moral damages or health-related damages,” explains the attorney.
You can also submit claims to the International Register for damages not covered by “eVidnovlennia”: damage to personal property, vehicles, non-residential premises, or property of legal entities.
Steps to take if windows were damaged during shelling
In summary, Natalia Prudnikova advises victims to proceed step by step.
First, you need to check your housing documents and consult with a lawyer if necessary. It is advisable to register your property rights in the electronic registry in advance, as documents are often kept at home and may be destroyed if your home is damaged.
After shelling, you should:
- file a report with the police regarding damage caused by military actions;
- take photos and videos of the damage;
- file a report with the housing office or homeowners’ association to have a damage report for the windows drawn up;
- file a claim through the “eVidnovlennia” procedure via “Diyu,” a Public Service Center (PSC), or a notary;
- contact the local district administration to receive assistance;
- for damages not covered by state or local programs, file a claim with the International Register of Damages.
Compensation for broken windows after shelling is possible, but in practice, the process can be complicated. “eVidnovlennia” is available only to individuals and residential properties, and the speed of payment depends on the status of the documents, the presence of all co-owners in the registry, and the workload of the commissions.
If the damage is minor and you need to close the windows quickly, it’s worth checking local aid programs or charitable foundations. If the repairs are extensive, it makes sense to wait for the “eVidnovlennia” procedure.
In any case, the main thing is to document the damage, submit applications, keep the documents, and not carry out repairs without proof of the damage. This could be crucial for receiving compensation now or in the future.
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