**Families of War Victims Can Now Seek Compensation Through Ukraine’s Register of Damage**
The International Register of Damage for Ukraine has started accepting applications from families who lost loved ones due to Russia’s invasion. This is according to a statement made by the Presidential Office on January 16.
The application process was delayed earlier because of a cyberattack on Ukrainian state registers in December. The register itself was set up by the Council of Europe and the UN General Assembly to provide compensation for those who suffered from the war.
People can now submit claims under over 40 categories, including deaths, torture, sexual violence, property loss, and environmental destruction. They can also show evidence of damage to or destruction of their homes and other properties.
**Reconstruction Costs Estimated at $486 Billion**
The World Bank estimates that Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction costs will be around $486 billion over the next 10 years. Meanwhile, Russia has around $300 billion in assets frozen in the West. The G7 nations have promised to keep these assets locked until Moscow pays reparations to Ukraine.
**US and UK Provide Military Aid**
The US is working on a new sanctions strategy aimed at helping resolve the conflict through diplomacy. The UK will also provide military aid, including artillery barrels, an air defense system, and training for allied forces.
A drone was spotted near the Presidential Office in Kyiv, while three drones hit a facility in Ukraine’s capital, causing a large fire.
**Russia Claims to Have Damaged Gas Storage**
Russia said it had damaged ground facilities at one of Ukraine’s largest natural gas storage sites in Lviv Oblast during missile and drone attacks on January 15.
**Slovak Government Criticized for Pro-Russia Stance**
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticized the Slovak government for its pro-Russian stance, calling it a “very dangerous game.”
**Wide-Ranging Deal with Norway and Italy**
A wide-ranging deal between Ukraine and Norway will see Ukrainian-made air defense systems integrated into NASAMS systems. Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto also arrived in Kyiv on January 16 for institutional meetings.
**US President Biden Mentions Ukraine in Farewell Speech**
Outgoing US President Joe Biden briefly mentioned Ukraine during his farewell speech, saying that the US helped preserve Ukraine’s freedom.
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