Armenian authorities change emblem of RA Armed Forces

ArmInfo.Armenian authorities have changed the emblem of the Armenian Armed Forces. This was revealed from footage of banners posted in Republic Square, where preparations are underway for a military parade scheduled for May 28, the Day of the First Republic of Armenia.

Following the scandal, the Armenian Ministry of Defense finally  decided to respond to the situation, publishing a video today  explaining the reasons for the emblem change. The Armenian Ministry  of Defense claims that the emblem adopted back in 2001 under  Armenia's second president, Robert Kocharyan, contained a number of  "heraldic, structural, and ideological shortcomings," which they  decided to address by giving the eagle a more menacing appearance,  including opening its beak and extending its talons.

The new version of the emblem includes the addition of a map of  Armenia and changes to the image of the flag and eagle. According to  the Ministry of Defense, the new emblem clearly depicts the eagle's  body, head, wings, and talons, "eliminating the shortcomings of the  previous emblem." The eagle's new pose, according to the Defense  Ministry, symbolizes the "vigilance and fighting spirit" of the  Armenian army, making it "alive," whereas "the previous one was not  viable." A circular golden shield on the eagle's chest is adorned  with an Armenian eight-pointed solar cross with a seed in the center,  symbolizing future soldiers. It replaces the previous shield, which  depicted a cross. Moreover, while previously the sword was behind the  eagle's shield, according to the new version, the eagle holds a sword  in one talon and a cross in the other. Furthermore, the Ministry of  Defense, for some reason, decided to place the so-called map of  Armenia on the Armenian flag, which is currently being used  everywhere by the ruling party led by Nikol Pashinyan.