Ukraine Is Seeking Reparations For More Than Half A Trillion Dollars For Russia's Invasion
The Ukrainian government is seeking compensation of US$565 billion (and counting) from Russia over their invasion.
The deputy prime minister, Yuliya Sviridenko, declared on Facebook that they will be holding their enemy to account.
Ms Sviridenko said damage to their country’s infrastructure alone would cost around US$119 billion.
According to Sviridenko, almost 8,000 km of roads, dozens of railway stations and airports have been decimated since the war began.
She also estimated losses of more than 10 million square feet of housing and 200,000 cars.
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There is a loss of US$80 billion in enterprises and organisations, US$54 billion in direct investments in the Ukrainian economy and US$48 billion in the state budget.
However, with the war continuing to advance further into Ukraine, this more than half a trillion dollar number is expected to rise.
Sviridenko said Russia needs to feel the ‘severity’ of its attacks against them
“It should be noted that every day the numbers change and unfortunately they are increasing," she said.
“That's why Ukraine, despite all the obstacles, will seek to exact compensation payments from the aggressor.
“Both by court decisions, and by transferring to our state frozen on Russian assets. Evil will definitely be punished and Russia will feel all the severity of its own criminal actions in Ukraine.”
This comes after the Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine, Kyrylo Shevchenko, demanded Ukraine use Russian money to rebuild.
Earlier this money, he told the BBC that Russia should eventually fund all the damage accosted onto Ukraine; however, in the meantime, they are seeking support from allies.
“The need for money will be huge,” he said. “It could be fulfilled through loans and grants from multinational organisations and direct help from other countries.
“However a large share of financing is needed to be obtained as a reparation from the aggressor, including funds that are currently frozen in our allied countries.”
Beyond making Russia restore Ukraine, Shevchenko welcomed the imposed sanctions but wants countries to do more to cripple Russia's economy.
“We already see the effect (of sanctions) on the aggressor’s financial system, but we are still waiting for more to be done. I would like to underline that every day that sanctions are delayed is costing the lives of civilians and children,” he said.
Over the weekend, Ukraine's Office of the Prosecutor General said via Telegram app that 136 children had been killed in the war so far.
Charisa Bossinakis