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With the high cost of new construction, some homeowners are looking to their basements for additional living space. While the average cost of basement remodeling is about $21,541 nationwide, that figure varies widely depending on the quality of the materials used and the type of remodeling.

Still, finishing a basement is often a much more affordable way of expanding a homes living space than building a new addition to the house because the floors and walls are already in place. While some basement remodeling projects are in the DIY realm, many require the services of licensed contractors, and the final basement remodel cost will typically range from $30 to $75 per square foot.

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Many use the words remodel and renovate interchangeably. Still, remodeling typically involves changing the spaces layout or adding or replacing finish materials (installing new tile flooring, painting the walls, or replacing the panels in a drop ceiling). Remodeling is often a part of a basement makeover. Remodeling can also mean changing the purpose of the space, such as installing a kitchen in the basement, which is among the more pricey projects and could run as much as $30,000.

Renovation involves making some type of repairs. The most common basement renovation projects are the restorations necessary after a house suffers flood or fire damage. Renovating to correct water damage can run $1,200 to $5,100, while basement renovation cost after a fire can run anywhere from $3,000 to $33,000 just to repair smoke damage. Renovating doesnt change the spaces purpose; instead, it usually restores the area to like-new condition.

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The overall cost of a basement remodel averages $12,232 to $33,173, yet it can be as little as $4,000 on the low end and as much as $50,000 on the high end. Why so much price variation? The answer lies in the unique properties of basements, what condition theyre currently in, and the going rate of labor in the community.

Two of the main factors determining the cost to finish basement spaces are the basements size and current condition. A partial basement remodel of an area less than 700 square feet could run from $9,000 to $52,500, while the complete remodel of a basement with 4,000 square feet could top out around $300,000. A basement with leaks or moisture problems will cost more to remodel since waterproofing should be done first and could run as much as $7,000.

No two houses are alike, so no two basements are alike. This means that different subcontractors are necessary for various remodels. Hiring a designer could add $2,000 to $13,000 to the basement remodel cost, while a licensed electrician will typically charge between $500 and $2,500 to wire the basement. A plumbing subcontractor will typically charge between $400 and $1,800 to install new bathroom fixtures.

If the remodeling project includes adding walls and installing plumbing or wiring, the local building authority may require a permit before starting the project. Permit and inspection fees vary from community to community and may be a percentage of the projects estimated cost or a flat fee. Typical permit fees range from $100 to $2,000 or more, and the contractor will usually pull the permit and then include the cost in their charges.

The average cost to finish a basement depends on multiple factors. For example, when calculating an accurate estimate, a contractor must determine whether repairs should be done first and whether moisture issues are a concern.

If the basement has mold or water damage, cleanup could add anywhere from $1,200 to $5,100 to the overall cost of the basement remodel. If professional mold remediation is necessary and wallboard and flooring have to be replaced, the price could start around $10,000 and go up from there. On the flip side, a simple flooring replacement and a new coat of paint could cost less than $3,000.

Remodeling your basement?

Find local basement remodeling contractors in your area and get free, no-commitment estimates for your project today.

The difference between above-grade walls and basement walls is that basement walls directly contact the soil. This makes basements prone to moisture problems and leaking. Before finishing a basement, any moisture problems should be addressed. Waterproofing a basement will add an estimated $2,000 to $7,000 to the bill.

When it comes to basements, finishing means to transform the basement (no matter what shape its currently in) into a living space thats similar in quality to the above-ground living spaces. The cost to finish basement living spaces will vary based on all the factors covered, but a general estimate is between $30 and $75 per square foot.

Incorporating new rooms into a basement is standard for many remodeling projects. The cost will vary by the type of room and the quality of the materials and fixtures. Adding a bathroom ranges from $6,600 to $16,500, while adding a master suite can run as much as $25,000, especially if egress (escape) windows have to be installed. Other popular basement remodel projects include:

For many, the most significant benefit of finishing a basement is the increased family living space that can alleviate crowding on the main floors. A finished basement is also a selling point, and it makes a home more energy efficient as well.

Most remodeling projects are expensive, and remodeling a basement is no exception. Remodeling Magazine estimates that a basement remodels return on investment (ROI) averages about 70 percent. So, remodel with the intent of enjoying the space, not just for resale purposes.

A basement remodeling project offers the homeowner a range of living solutions. A basement with a separate entrance can become a rental apartment or provide additional family space. The project can include adding new bedrooms, a playroom, a recreation area with a bathroom, or a craft room. The basement can be one of the most versatile spaces in the home.

Finishing a basement often improves a homes energy efficiency. During remodeling, the basement is often insulateda project that typically adds around $500 to $1,500, depending on the size of the basement and the type of insulation. This reduces heat transfer through the main floor and, as a bonus, also reduces drafts. The result is a more energy-efficient house.

Homeowners can save a substantial amount of money by tackling remodeling projects, but the key is in knowing when to attempt DIY basement finishing and when its better left to the pros. A general rule is to call licensed professionals for new wiring projects. Electricians charge between $50 to $100 per hour for their services, and, in some communities, homeowners are not permitted to do their own electrical wiring.

While plumbing is less dangerous than wiring, it requires working knowledge of making plumbing connections, and faulty plumbing can leak, leading to significant water damage down the road.Some DIY tasks a homeowner can take on include clearing away trash, painting, and sometimes installing flooring.

Remodeling your basement?

Find local basement remodeling contractors in your area and get free, no-commitment estimates for your project today.

When DIY-ing some or all of a basement remodeling project isnt feasible, homeowners may still be able to save some money. Keep in mind that many costs are negotiable, and by compromising on materials, a basement remodel doesnt have to break the bank. The following tips can save money without sacrificing overall quality or the ability to enjoy the basement.

The oft-recommended advice is to get bids from a minimum of three contractors before choosing one to do the remodeling. While thats sage advice, ask the following questions to ensure the best contractor is selected for the job.

Remodeling your basement?

Find local basement remodeling contractors in your area and get free, no-commitment estimates for your project today.

Basement remodeling and renovating are expensive, but theyre investments in the home when done tastefully and with good workmanship. For those thinking about a basement remodeling project, some questions are likely.

On average, basement remodeling costs $30 to $75 per square foot, so the cost to remodel a 1,000-square-foot basement would range from $30,000 to $75,000, depending on the material and fixture costs.

At an average of $30 to $75 per square foot, remodeling a 1,200-square-foot basement would cost between $36,000 and $90,000.

Do plenty of research before starting to ensure youre getting what you want at a price you can afford. Because a basement remodel is an investment in the home, your lender may give you a home equity loan to pay for the project, and you can pay the loan back in installments.

The resale value of a house depends on many factors. In general, homeowners can recoup 70 percent of the cost of a basement remodel when they sell. For example, if the current house is valued at $250,000 and the homeowner spends $50,000 on the basement remodel, it would potentially increase the houses value by 70 percent of $50,000, which is $35,000. That would boost the homes valuewhen the project is completeto $285,000.

Adding bathrooms, home theaters, and wet bars are among the most expensive basement remodeling projects. Bathrooms cost an average of $6,000 to $15,000, and wet bars range from about $6,000 to $22,500. Home theaters can run as much as $300 per square foot.

Remodeling your basement?

Find local basement remodeling contractors in your area and get free, no-commitment estimates for your project today.

More:
How Much Does a Basement Remodel Cost? (2023) - Bob Vila

Basement stairs need protection from foot traffic and moisture. When deciding how to finish your basement stairs, you've got plenty of great options.

The quality of a basement stairway usually matches the quality of the basement itself. An unfinished basement used primarily for storage likely has a straight, steep stairway with open treads, or perhaps a spiral staircase. A finished basement usually features a more sophisticated staircase with closed treads, and maybe even a landing.

A basement staircase is almost always more functional than decorative. That means its typically made from wood or plywood, without ornate details or extra-long treads. Though its basic, it still needs to be finished to avoid ending up stained, slippery and bug-infested, like the one I rebuilt for my neighbor several years ago.

The climate in a typical basement eliminates one finishing option common for upper-story staircases natural fiber carpet. But you can use synthetic carpet.

Most people will choose a paintable finish, however, because its easy and inexpensive. Paint or a clear finish can also look great, but both are slippery. For safetys sake, its worth it to put extra energy into addressing this issue.

When youre pondering your basement staircase finishing project, think about the following:

If you only use your unfinished basement occasionally, you might be tempted to leave the staircase unfinished. You might even get away with it. But if youre down there with any regularity, finishing the staircase is a must to protect it from foot traffic, and the improvement in appearance is a bonus.

If youre planning to finish your basement stairway, here are some things to think about:

For a wooden basement staircase, painting is your best finishing option. Use a good quality porch and floor enamel for the treads and risers and acrylic enamel for the railings.

Painting is DIY-friendly, color choices give you design flexibility, and paint provides good resistance to moisture, mold and foot traffic. When the paint wears out or you get tired of the color, simply repaint. If the treads or railing are oak or fir, two or three coats of clear polyurethane offer good protection and highlight the natural wood tones.

Other finishing techniques arent quite as easy, but most are still DIY-friendly:

The possibilities for basement stairways are as varied as the people who use them. Here are a few examples:

The treads are painted light gray to match the tile on the basement floor, and the railing coated with a clear finish to bring out the natural wood element.

Protected by a wall on both sides, this staircase features the same carpet as the basement floor, providing a comfy trip between floors for bare feet.

No need for anything fancy for this utility basement. All parts of the staircase are painted to protect the wood from moisture.

Hardwood on basement stairs? Why not? Just make sure you use an engineered product rated for below-grade installations.

Continue reading here:
What To Know About Finishing Basement Stairs

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Need a few ideas to inspire your upcoming basement remodel? Weve put together eight of our favorites (with the caveat that when it comes to designing your dream basement, your options are truly limitless).

NOTE:The beginning half of 2021 has seen an unprecedented labor shortage as a side effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. In conjunctionwith this, demand for materials and construction jobs has skyrocketed. As a result, material prices may be higher than those reported in this article, and lead times may be longer than usual for both labor and materials.

Maybe you are dreaming of creating your own home fitness studio, complete with a ballet barre, a rowing machine and a complete set of free weights. Or, maybe you need an extra bedroom or a home office. No matter what, avoid dark colors and fixtures, says Kirsten Gable, a designer with Anthony Wilder Design/Build Inc., in Cable John, Maryland.

This is key when you are designing a basement, Gable says. Nobody wants to go into a space that feels like a dungeon.

Fortunately, the light-and-bright feel isnt hard to achieveeven in a space that was previously adorned with dark paneling on the walls and few, if any, sources of natural light.

All you have to do is select lighter paint colors, lighter flooring (Pro tip: Never use wood flooring in a basement due to its propensity to warp) and plenty of, well, lighting. This could be in the form of strategically placed recessed lighting, decorative lamps or even windows (if the structure allows for windows).

Do you already have a media room or sufficient home office space upstairs? If so, no need to be redundant in your remodeled basement. This is your chance to add something else to your home that doesnt already exist.

You arent going to spend time in your basement if you have it elsewhere, says Gable.

If you are not sure what exactly this new space is, make a list of what might be missing. A place for out-of-town guests to stay? A playroom? A game room? The project is a blank space, so you can take it in any direction you like.

OK, but how many of us truly have enough dedicated office space these days? A basement is a perfect place for a quiet work area because it is most likely removed from the homes primary activity zones (meaning you can escape from all the noise and dive into that big work project).

This is also your chance to really home in on your preferences when it comes to the sort of workspace that fosters your own brand of productivity. Quirky? Corporate chic? Minimalist? It is up to you.

Soon, it will once again be feasible for friends and family to come over for more than just a socially distanced driveway visittheyll actually be able to spend the weekend. If you would rather offer accommodations more appealing than the living room floor or your twins bunk beds, adding a guest room to your basement will accomplish the goal.

If you have the space, you might even consider making it a guest suitecomplete with a private bathroom and all the little extras that will truly make them feel at home throughout their stay.

Tired of exercising in the garage (especially in extreme temperatures)? Your soon-to-be-remodeled basement is just begging you to turn at least a small section of it into a home workout studio.

All your equipment will be tucked away in its very own space (no more tripping over the treadmill in the middle of your bedroom), and you wont have to worry so much about damaging that beautiful wood floor with your free weights.

The ground level is much more accommodating to the impact, and you can also install flooring that is engineered specifically for home gyms (without worrying that it will clash with any of your home dcor).

The mere existence of a basement doesnt necessarily mean you have the luxury of adding guest suites and workout rooms thoughmaybe your upstairs is smaller and you need the space downstairs for actual living?

If this sounds like you, you can easily transform your basement into a versatile living space, with a play/school area for kids, a family gathering space (a couch and a coffee table for playing board games will accomplish this), some extra storage and maybe even a cozy reading nook.

The key with this type of design, says Gable, is to create a cohesive look while also providing some separation between the various areas (room dividers, tall furniture or a partial wall will all do the trick).

Are you a wine connoisseur, or a collector of vintage teacups? Basements often provide the perfect backdrop to store or display your favorite things, especially if the upper level of your home lacks the space needed. You can dedicate a certain corner or design a walk-in/temperature-controlled room, depending on the size and content of your collection.

Kitchen tables often double as sewing or craft stations, and living rooms are used for everything from practicing music to drawing to folding origami.

If you would like to reclaim your kitchen table for actual dining, or if the concept of sitting in your living room watching Netflix without hearing the sound of your 10-year-olds squeaky violin, the time to turn your basement into a music, craft or hobby room is now.

These ideas just the very tip of the icebergthe options for your basement remodel are vast, Gable says. The main thing to do when creating your basement renovation plan is to determine what you truly need to make your basement work for you and your other household members.

You can create a really cool basement, but if it doesnt function for (you) on a day-to-day basis (you) are never going to go down there, she adds.

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Basement Remodel Ideas You Should Try Forbes Home

Finishing a basement is an ideal way to add extra living space to your home. You dont need to build out or build up to create more usable square footage. You can work with your existing footprint and remodel a dark, cluttered basement which is probably only being used for storage or as a makeshift laundry room and turn it into a finished room or rooms for a variety of uses. Or, maybe, you already have a finished basement, but it is dated and needs some freshening up or reconfiguration to work better for your needs. Whichever type basement you have, there is always room for improvement through a remodel.

Many homeowners look at their basements and see a daunting renovation task. We see a basement as a blank slate. The potential for new living space is amazing. Walls can be built to create multiple rooms and storage areas, or can be moved to enable the space to better fit your wish list.

The lowest level of your home can provide ample space for:

Original post:
Basement Remodeling Ideas | Before and After Photos

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WVM.firstPrerollTagUrl = WVM.getFirstPrerollUrl(); console.log("calling backup ad tag url: " + WVM.firstPrerollTagUrl); WVM.activePlayer.ima.changeAdTag(WVM.firstPrerollTagUrl + "?" + dTime); WVM.activePlayer.ima.requestAds(); //WVM.activePlayer.src({ // src: masterSrc, // type: 'video/mp4' //}); //WVM.firstPrerollTagUrl = ""; } playerState.AD_ERROR = true; }); //player.off('error'); player.on('error', function(event) { if (player.error().code === 4) { player.error(null); // clear out the old error player.options().sources.shift(); // drop the highest precedence source console.log("now doing src"); console.log(player.options().sources[0]); player.src(player.options().sources[0]); // retry return; } }); //player.off('volumechange'); player.on('volumechange', function(event) { console.log(event); var theHeight = $('#media-container-' + playerState.ORIGINAL_ID + ' .vjs-volume-level').css('height'); var cssVolume = 0; if(theHeight){ cssVolume = parseInt(theHeight.replace('%', '')); } var theVolume = player.volume(); if(theVolume > 0.0 || cssVolume > 0){ $('#media-container-' + playerState.ORIGINAL_ID + ' .mute-overlay').css('display', 'none'); }else{ $('#media-container-' + playerState.ORIGINAL_ID + ' .mute-overlay').css('display', 'block'); } }); WVM.reinitRawEvents(playerState.ORIGINAL_ID); setInterval(function(){ WVM.reinitRawEvents(playerState.ORIGINAL_ID); }, 2000); } if(!WVM.rawCompleteEvent){ WVM.rawCompleteEvent = function(e){ var playerState = WVM['player_state197908']; console.log("firing raw event due to all other events failing"); var currId = playerState.VIDEO_ID; var newMediaId = WVM.getNextPlaylistIndex(currId); //if(playerSettings.autoplay_next && newMediaId){ if(newMediaId){ WVM.load_video(newMediaId, true, playerState.ORIGINAL_ID); } }; } if(!WVM.rawTimeupdateEvent){ WVM.rawTimeupdateEvent = function(e){ var playerState = WVM['player_state197908']; var rawVideoElem = document.getElementById('html5-video-' + playerState['ORIGINAL_ID'] + '_html5_api'); var fullCurrent = rawVideoElem.currentTime * 1000; var fullDuration = rawVideoElem.duration * 1000; var current_time = Math.floor(rawVideoElem.currentTime); console.log("raw timeupdate: " + fullCurrent + " out of " + fullDuration); if ( current_time > 0 && ( fullCurrent >= (fullDuration - 50) )){ var currId = playerState.VIDEO_ID; var newMediaId = WVM.getNextPlaylistIndex(currId); if(newMediaId){ console.log("loading new video from rawtimeupdate"); WVM.load_video(newMediaId, true, playerState.ORIGINAL_ID); } } if(!$('.vjs-loading-spinner').hasClass('badspinner')){ $('.vjs-loading-spinner').addClass('badspinner') } }; } WVM.reinitRawEvents = function(playerId){ var playerState = WVM['player_state' + playerId]; var rawVideoElem = document.getElementById('html5-video-' + WVM['player_state' + playerId]['ORIGINAL_ID'] + '_html5_api'); //COMPLETE EENT if( WVM['player_state' + playerId].COMPLETE_EVENT){ rawVideoElem.removeEventListener('ended', WVM.rawCompleteEvent, false); } rawVideoElem.addEventListener('ended', WVM.rawCompleteEvent, false); //TIME UPDATE EVENT if( WVM['player_state' + playerId].TIMEUPDATE_EVENT){ rawVideoElem.removeEventListener('ended', WVM.rawTimeupdateEvent, false); } rawVideoElem.addEventListener('ended', WVM.rawTimeupdateEvent, false); WVM['player_state' + playerId].COMPLETE_EVENT = true; WVM['player_state' + playerId].TIMEUPDATE_EVENT = true; };

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- As the fall season continues and winter approaches, many people may be looking to do some house remodeling. There's an event this weekend that aims to help those folks out.

The NARI Milwaukee Home and Remodeling Show at the Wisconsin State Fair Expo Center will be taking place from Friday, Oct. 14 through Sunday, Oct. 16.

David Hoffman with Highpoint Design Build Group joined us on Tuesday, Oct. 11 to discuss basement remodeling. It is among the many topics that businesses will be discussing at the NARI Show.

More information can be found by clicking here, including a full schedule of events and a method to buy tickets online.

Home Remodeling Suggestions from AB&K Bath and Kitchen in Greenfield. AB&K is one of the 100 vendors onsite at this weekend's home show:

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Talk home remodeling with experts at a Milwaukee-area event this weekend - WDJT

Trinity Lutheran Church in Shelton, with its spire rising against the blue sky above the Housatonic River and its striking red entrance, was a familiar sight when I was growing up, so I was sad to read the headline, Wonderful memories: Shelton church closing doors after 123 years. You see, I had wonderful memories of my own.

Its sad it came to this point, longtime member Carol Del Sole told Shelton Herald reporter Brian Gioiele.

Her family joined the church 60 years ago when she was a young girl, and now there were only a dozen members left, who would be merging with Immanuel Lutheran Church in Oxford.

The pews were packed, she recalled. There were so many families, Sunday school, youth group, a childrens choir, Christmas fairs, mother-daughter days

There are many other wonderful memories she probably didnt know about. Every week for 45 years, men and women, including my father, went to a Shelton Alcoholics Anonymous meeting in the church basement, where its no exaggeration to say their lives were saved.

Countless people have their own wonderful memories of their path from drunkenness and despair to a sober life and their Higher Power.

My father went through those doors for the first time when he was 50 years old. It was where he got sober after decades of alcoholic drinking. He lived his last 25 years sober, which for a drunk is a monumental achievement one day at a time.

We were all sure his life was coming to a premature end after a lifetime of booze and a succession of debilitating health problems caused by drinking. In many ways, we were as sick as him because we suffered from the associated traumas brought about by family disputes and emotional abuse and stress. Sometimes Im still haunted by childhood memories of unprovoked insults and beatings.

He was a great guy until he picked up a drink. When he came home from work, he started hitting the Melrose or the Canadian Club, depending on what was on sale at the package store. Hed sit in his Barcalounger with a glass full of whiskey on one side and a 16-ounce can of Budweiser on the other.

Eventually, hed pass out, and we had to wake him up for dinner, a chore no one wanted because you never knew what kind of mood hed be in. He was a mean, miserable SOB when he was drunk.

When he finally hit bottom, we didnt expect him to live and we certainly didnt think he could ever stop drinking until a bunch of unassuming guys from the Shelton group started taking him to AA meetings.

They told him, You are not alone. (He may have found that thought comforting, but I was absolutely horrified to think there were others out there like him.)

In the months and years that followed, they pulled him out of his despair and saved him from a certain death sentence. Life got better a day at a time.

In later years, he would often say, AA didnt open up the gates of heaven to let me in, but it sure opened up the gates of hell to let me out.

My father became the coffee-maker for the Shelton group and eventually chaired the meeting. Until then, he didnt know how to boil water, but after that, hed get up every morning and put a pot of coffee on the stove for the rest of us.

He changed in other ways too, but most importantly, he became the good man he was always meant to be.

When his grandchildren visited, they would rush to see him still sitting in his Barcalounger and he always had a treat or trinket for them.

Instead of whiskey and beer, he had a cup of coffee, his AA Big Book and his Twenty-four Hours a Day devotional beside him. Those final years gave him an entirely new life. There was joy, there was hope, there was goodness.

They dont keep records in AA because its an anonymous program, and they dont give certificates or hold graduations because sobriety is a lifelong pursuit, so well never know how many thousands of lives were saved in that church basement.

However, Im certain a lot of men and women walked through those doors defeated and found something rare in our age called hope. They learned to live sober. They learned they have a Higher Power watching over them. They learned never to doubt the possibility of miracles.

You could say AA gave my father a second chance. I can only express heartfelt gratitude to the people at Trinity Lutheran who provided that space for so long, and I wish them well.

And Dad, wherever you are and I hope its the good place (Im sure its the good place) take it a day at a time even in eternity.

Former Stamford Advocate and Greenwich Time Editor Joe Pisani can be reached at joefpisani@yahoo.com.

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Joe Pisani (opinion): For 45 years, lives were saved in basement of CT church - Greenwich Time

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Blast from the Past / 1961: A newly remodeled room at the library - Lewiston Morning Tribune

ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine (AP) At least 11 Russian soldiers were killed Saturday in a shooting incident that underlined the challenges posed by Russian President Vladimir Putin's hasty mobilization, just as Ukrainian troops pressed an offensive to reclaim the areas in the country's south that were illegally annexed by Moscow.

The Russian Defense Ministry said two men opened fire at volunteer soldiers during a target practice session in western Russia, killing 11 of them and wounding 15 others before being killed themselves. The ministry called it a terror attack.

Russia has lost ground in the nearly seven weeks since Ukraines armed forces opened their southern counteroffensive. This week, the Kremlin launched what is believed to be its largest coordinated air and missile raids on Ukraine's key infrastructure since Russias invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24.

In the continuation of those attacks, a missile strike Saturday seriously damaged a key energy facility in Ukraine's capital region, the country's grid operator said. Following mounting setbacks, the Russian military has worked to cut off power and water in far-flung populated areas while also fending off Ukrainian counterattacks in occupied areas.

In the Zaporizhzhia region, Gov. Oleksandr Starukh said the Russian military carried out strikes with suicide drones from Iran and long-range S-300 missiles. Some experts said the Russian militarys use of the surface-to-air missiles may reflect shortages of dedicated precision weapons for hitting ground targets.

Dmytro Pocishchuk, a hospital medic in the Zaporizhzhia regions capital who has treated dozens of people wounded during Russian attacks in recent weeks, said people sought safety outdoors or in his buildings basement when the familiar blasts started at 5:15 a.m. Saturday.

If Ukraine stops, these bombings and killings will continue. We cant give up to the Russian Federation, Pocishchuk said several hours later. He put a small Ukrainian flag on the broken windshield of his heavily damaged car.

Kyiv region Gov. Oleksiy Kuleba said the missile that hit a power facility Saturday morning didn't kill or wound anyone. Citing security, Ukrainian officials didn't identify the site, one of many infrastructure targets the Russian military tried to destroy after an Oct. 8 truck bomb explosion damaged the bridge that links Russia to the annexed Crimean Peninsula.

Ukrainian electricity transmission company Ukrenergo said repair crews were working to restore electricity service, but warned residents about further possible outages. Kyrylo Tymoshenko, the deputy head of the Ukrainian president's office, urged residents of the capital and three neighboring regions to conserve energy.

Putin may hope that by increasing the misery of the Ukrainian people, President (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy may be more inclined to negotiate a settlement that allows Russia to retain some stolen territory in the east or Crimea, said Ian Williams, a fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a policy organization based in Washington. A quick look at history shows that the strategic bombing of civilians is an ineffective way to achieve a political aim.

This week's wide-ranging retaliatory attacks, which included the use of self-destructing explosive drones from Iran, killed dozens of people. The strikes hit residential buildings as well as infrastructure such as power stations in Kyiv, Lviv in western Ukraine, and other cities that had seen comparatively few strikes in recent months.

Putin said Friday that Moscow didn't see a need for additional massive strikes but his military would continue selective ones. He said that of 29 targets the Russian military planned to knock out in this weeks attacks, seven werent damaged and would be taken out gradually.

The Institute for the Study of War, a think tank based in Washington, interpreted Putin's remarks as intended to counter criticism from pro-war Russian bloggers who largely praised the resumption of strikes against Ukrainian cities, but warned that a short campaign would be ineffective."

In the southern Kherson region, one of the first areas of Ukraine to fall to Russia after the invasion and which Putin also illegally designated as Russian territory last month, Ukrainian forces pressed their counteroffensive Saturday.

Kyiv's army has reported recapturing 75 villages and towns there in the last month, but said the momentum had slowed, with the fighting settling into the sort of grueling back-and-forth that characterized Russia's months-long offensive to conquer Ukraine's eastern Donbas region.

On Saturday, Ukrainian troops attempted to advance south along the banks of the Dnieper River toward the regional capital, also named Kherson, but didn't gain any ground, according to Kirill Stremousov, a deputy head of the occupied region's Moscow-installed administration.

The defense lines worked, and the situation has remained under the full control of the Russian army, he wrote on his messaging app channel.

The Kremlin-backed local leaders asked civilians Thursday to leave the region to ensure their safety and to give Russian troops more maneuverability. Stremousov reminded them they could evacuate to Crimea and cities in southwestern Russia, where Moscow offered free accommodations to residents who agreed to leave.

Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov, the Russian Defense Ministry's spokesman, said the military destroyed five crossings on the Inhulets River, another route Ukraine's fighters could take to progress toward the Kherson region.

Konashenkov claimed Russian troops also blocked Ukrainian attempts to make inroads in breaching Russian defenses near Lyman, a city in the annexed Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine that the Ukrainians retook two weeks ago in a significant defeat for the Kremlin.

Amid the fighting, two men from an unnamed former Soviet nation fired on volunteer soldiers during target practice at a firing range in the Belgorod region that borders Ukraine and were killed by return fire, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

The shooting comes amid a mobilization ordered by Putin to beef up Russian forces in Ukraine a hasty and poorly executed move that triggered protests and caused hundreds of thousands to flee Russia. Some of the mobilized reservists were sent to the front lines without receving proper training and equipment, according to activists and media reports.

Putin said on Friday that more than 220,000 reservists already had been called up as part of an effort to recruit 300,000.

To the north and east of Kherson, Russian shelling killed two civilians in the Dnipropetrovsk region, Gov. Valentyn Resnichenko said. He said the shelling of the city of Nikopol, which is located across the Dnieper from the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, damaged a dozen residential buildings, several stores and a transportation facility.

Fighting near the nuclear plant, Europe's largest, has been an ongoing concern during the nearly eight-month war. The power station temporarily lost its last remaining outside electricity source twice in the past week, fueling fears the reactors could eventually overheat and cause a catastrophic radiation leak.

International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General Rafael Grossi reported that such fears were somewhat eased late Friday, because Ukrainian engineers had managed after several weeks to restore backup power lines that can serve as a buffer" in case of further war-related outages.

Working in very challenging conditions, operating staff at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant are doing everything they can to bolster its fragile offsite power situation," Grossi said. "Restoring the backup power connection is a positive step in this regard, even though the overall nuclear safety and security situation remains precarious.

___

Follow AP's coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

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Ukraine and Russia work to gain advantage in annexed regions - The Advocate