Russian servicemen in the Kherson region. Archival photoSIMFEROPOL, May 7.The Kherson region, which has come under the control of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, will regain the coat of arms of the times of the Russian Empire, Kirill Stremousov, deputy chairman of the military-civil administration of the Kherson region, told RIA Novosti. During a special operation to demilitarize Ukraine, the Russian military took control of the entire Kherson region in the south of the country and the part of the Zaporozhye region. Civil-military administrations have been formed in the regions, broadcasting of Russian television channels and radio has begun, and trade ties with Crimea are being restored. The new coat of arms was based on the first coat of arms of Kherson and Kherson district, which was approved on October 7, 1803. In particular, a black double-headed crowned eagle is depicted on the new coat of arms in a shield with a golden field. In his right paw is a laurel branch, and in his left is a flame. On the chest of the eagle, in a blue shield, a golden cross is depicted. Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine on February 24. President Vladimir Putin called its goal «the protection of people who have been subjected to bullying and genocide by the Kyiv regime for eight years.» For this, according to him, it is planned to carry out «demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine», to bring to justice all war criminals responsible for «bloody crimes against civilians» in Donbass. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the Armed Forces strike only at military infrastructure and Ukrainian troops and , on March 25, completed the main tasks of the first stage — significantly reduced the combat potential of Ukraine. The main goal in the Russian military department was called the liberation of Donbass.
