The conditions of student duty at gas stations in Vladikavkaz raised concerns about the protection of their rights.

Students of the state mining and metallurgy institute began coordinating queues at the busiest gas stations in Vladikavkaz, authorities reported. Local residents, commenting on this report on social media, pointed out the health risks for students due to gasoline and exhaust fumes. They also suspected coercion of state university students into volunteering and criticized their detachment from studies.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", on October 6, volunteers began their duties at gas stations in Vladikavkaz. Earlier, the head of North Ossetia, Sergey Menyaylo, instructed to attract volunteers to regulate the situation at gas stations. Volunteers record traffic violations in queues at gas stations and pass the materials to the traffic police.

Students of the North Caucasian State Mining and Metallurgy Institute (SKGMI) began coordinating queues at the busiest gas stations in Vladikavkaz – on Zortova and Moskovskaya streets, as well as at the "Gazprom" gas station at the intersection of Leonova and Moskovskaya streets, reported the Ministry of Housing and Utilities of North Ossetia.

"The ministry will coordinate the work of volunteer groups daily, adjusting their composition and number as needed based on the current situation," – quoted "15 Region" the ministry's message on October 6.

A post about state university students being involved in duties at gas stations was also published by the Instagram*-public region15.info, which has about 462 thousand followers. As of 14:30 MSK on October 7, this post received 168 likes and 162 comments.

Commentators, identifying themselves as residents of Vladikavkaz, pointed out the health risks for students due to their prolonged presence at gas stations. "Poor kids, who makes them breathe exhaust fumes all day?" – wrote uvelirka_super.

"Let them go clean parks and squares from garbage! Standing there, they breathe gasoline, that's fine..." – pointed out tuurr43.

"I wouldn't want my child, a student (or not a student), to stand and monitor the queue. Are you out of your mind?" – was outraged ama21212025.

Other commentators suspected that the participation of students in duties might not be entirely voluntary. "Otherwise, as always, we won't give you a passing grade," – suggested user bredyou.

"They are working off their session," – believes iraettae750.

"You might as well chain them to each pump," – sarcastically remarked aslan124847.

Another group of commentators criticized the detachment of students from their studies. "There is no need for this and there never was! You have taken them away from the educational process!" – emphasized ka.zbek2283.

"What are they needed for there? What was the urgent need to pull them away from their studies, from other activities, just to stand at a gas station? Let them be assigned to the deputies then. Maybe they will work better," – suggested azaudzhioeva.

"And what are they volunteering for? Our people are educated, not scandalous. Let the kids study and have jobs, not these creative solutions," – called john_doe_ussa.

As of 14:30 MSK on October 7, there are no comments on the website of the North Caucasian Mining and Metallurgy Institute and the website of the administration of Vladikavkaz regarding residents' concerns about the violation of students' rights.

"Caucasian Knot" also reported that university students in the southern regions of Russia have previously complained about being coerced into participating in various events. For instance, on June 6 of this year, students of Volgograd State University complained about being forced to obtain a bank card. In March 2024, before the presidential elections in Russia, it was reported that students and teachers of Grozny universities received instructions to arrive at their universities or at Minutka Square to participate in a march in support of Vladimir Putin.