Icloud locked in recovery mode. Iphone stolen and passcode changed. Recovery key is in the locked icloud

My Iphone was stolen and I was able to figure out the person, but the person denies stealing the phone. Never the less, I get a replacement Iphone 13 and proceed to log into Icloud. I am asked first for the new Iphone's passcode, no problem; then asked for the old Iphone's passcode. The thief changed the passcode to the old phone so I'm tying every passcode I could've used but tried too many times, not yet knowing he changed the passcode. and can no longer attempt to put my old Iphone's passcode in the new Iphone. I am instead asked to enter the 28-digit recovery key, which is in my photos in the icloud. I was able to get a mutual friend of the thief and myself to get the new passcode but no longer have the option to enter it. Its the encryption key or I do not access my icloud. There is no other option at this point and my Navy records, disability documents, entire startup business files, the life long pictures of my mother and myself, which she suddenly passed away a few days ago, and court documents that and critical to my life and have the potential of costing me a few hundred thousand dollars if not accessed are all lost and cannot be retrieved.