Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, experts from the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise (Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise) have conducted more than 30,000 examinations, most of which concerned the consequences of war crimes. Particular attention is paid to economic research. This was stated by the Institute's experts in an exclusive commentary to UNN.
The key areas of economic expertise include: calculation of direct losses, for example, at the book or market value of damaged property; assessment of lost profits of enterprises whose operations have been suspended due to hostilities or occupation, as well as the effects of armed aggression on the environment and land resources. Quite often, such studies are complex and commission-based, meaning that experts in various fields are involved in the examination. For example, to substantiate the causal relationship between the amount of real damage and the armed aggression of the Russian Federation, in addition to economic, explosive and fire engineering expertise may also be used to determine the causes of destruction of real and personal property
For data collection and analysis, KFI experts actively use innovative technologies such as 3D scanning and mapping. This allows us to create detailed models of the destroyed objects, which significantly increases the accuracy of damage assessment and provides an impeccable evidence base.
“Unfortunately, the scale of material, economic and social losses due to Russia's aggression is increasing, and the number of court cases for compensation is growing accordingly. Among the examples was a case when one of the agricultural enterprises in Kherson region, was temporarily occupied and lost access to its land and equipment. The expertise helped to determine both direct losses (loss of equipment) and lost profits from unsold crops, taking into account average market prices for agricultural products. In another case, a warehouse with goods for resale was destroyed as a result of Russian shelling. The study determined the value of the lost goods as direct damages and calculated the lost profit from unrealized sales, which could have provided the company with income. We hope that these and all similar cases will eventually be compensated for,” say the experts of KFI.
The KFI noted that they continue to work on improving methods and expanding capabilities for recording and assessing damages, demonstrating their commitment to restoring justice and truth.
The work of the experts of Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise is important for establishing the amount of damage caused by Russian military aggression. Thanks to expert research, Ukrainian enterprises, communities and entrepreneurs have a reliable evidence base to protect their rights both in Ukrainian courts and in the international arena.