Today is the Birthday of Army Soldier Armenak Urfanian

Today is January 28. It marks the 28th anniversary of the formation of the Armenian Armed Forces. January 28 is also the birthday of Captain Armenak Urfanian, who heroically fell during the April War. “Mom, I am an army boy,” Armenak often told his mother, Mrs. Hamest. The soldier gave his life for the army and his homeland. His mother still struggles with the loss of her son, but the awareness that he died defending his homeland eases her sorrow.

Mrs. Hamest says he loved the army and his soldiers very much. He wouldn’t allow his men to be mistreated. Even today, people fondly remember Urfanian and his achievements. The hero, who rests in Yerablur, left his mother with tears in her eyes, yet with pride and honor, knowing that their sacrifices are what protect the borders of Armenia and Artsakh.

On the night of April 2, the position located towards Martakert was subjected to intense shelling by the enemy. Later, enemy tanks and hundreds of Azerbaijani soldiers attempted to storm the position. All enemy efforts to penetrate this position were thwarted thanks to Captain Armenak Urfanian, commander of the 4th platoon, and conscripts Kyaram Sloyan, Andranik Zohrapyan, and Robert Abajyan. Many refer to them as the “Saviors of Martakert.” Urfanian and his men fought a prolonged battle against the suddenly attacking enemy.

Urfanian was born in 1990 in Yerevan. He practiced taekwondo (triple champion), sambo, and judo. After finishing school, he enrolled in the artillery faculty of the Vazgen Sargsyan Military Institute in Yerevan and later transferred to the Infantry Division. After graduating from the military institute, Armenak went to Artsakh for service. At the age of 26, Urfanian held the rank of captain and commanded a platoon on the front line.

On May 28, 2016, Armenak Urfanian was posthumously awarded the “Combat Cross” of the 1st degree, a state honor of the Republic of Armenia.

Kristina Aghalaryan