Your point might be right about rejecting the old power structures, but I think it is more subtle, in that they rejected it because of the way it tolerated corruption. I still maintain that this “revolution” was mainly about corruption. The brother of Serzh Sargsyan, Alexander (“Sashik”), is a household name in Armenia because of his blatant mafia-like activities that were tolerated by the state. The numbers of Armenians emigrating to Russia to escape this corruption and find a better life is actually astounding.
Well: being a former Soviet country that remains in Putin’s orbit leaves you with all the corruption and baggage of Russia without the spillover perks of Russian oil wealth.
The oligarchs do give out candy to keep the peasant hordes satisfied as it were. And the Kremlin is adeft at keeping the population distracted with doggie treats and toys like the World Cup games, Victory Day parades, and tales of Putin’s foreign conquests on 24-hr state run media.
So long as you stay obedient, satisfied with your ration wages and occasional vacations abroad, and don’t rock the political boat, average joes could live a good life in Russia!
But Ukrainians, Moldovans, Armenians, et al. are worse off than their Russian counterparts.
In Glendale, CA - I am among 200,000 Armenians from every part and stage of the diaspora (Armenians from Iran, from Russia, etc...) not to mention a sizeable amount of Russians/Russian speakers from the former Soviet space.
Many Russians here jumped at the chance to be released from Moscow tyranny. And Armenians flew out to join Pashinyan’s pro-democracy protests.
Clarification of what I just posted: I am not Armenian, but grew up and live near Glendale area.