Trade unions held a short rally in Volgograd to mark May Day.

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In Volgograd, trade unions held a short, formal rally. Those present discussed the problems of digital restrictions, the impoverishment of citizens, and the environmental disaster in southern Russia.

The only May Day rally in Volgograd was an event organized by Volgograd trade unions, entitled "Solidarity and Unity." Around 150 employees of Volgograd enterprises (mostly employees of the Krasny Oktyabr and Titan-Barrikady corporations) and educational institutions gathered in the square in front of the Trade Union Palace of Culture at 10:00 AM Moscow time. The activists held union flags and posters: "Support the youth - pass on experience, protect their rights, ensure their future," "Decent work, safe working hours, social guarantees, basic rights for every worker." Bravura music and Soviet songs played. Journalist Vyacheslav Lemkus, who attended the event, told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent about the event.

Participants approached a man with a list standing by the fountain and checked in.

"The event was formal, uninspired, and for many, forced. One man came with his family. Apparently, they had a different purpose for the outing. That man explained to his wife that he needed to stop by to check in at the rally and put a checkmark on the list. "Indeed, participants approached a man with a list standing near the fountain and checked in," Lemkus said.

He listed the main topics discussed by young people at the rally. In particular, they discussed digital restrictions. "The protesters expressed their indignation: how can they now communicate with those abroad?" the journalist said.

Among members of the Titan-Barricades trade union, the journalist overheard an exchange of opinions regarding the seizure of billions of rubles from an oligarch. The issue involved the seizure of approximately 13 billion rubles of property belonging to the former Chairman of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Adygea, Aslan Trakhov, and persons affiliated with him. Recently, the Volgograd Regional Court rejected appeals in this case against an earlier court decision. "They were surprised, saying, 'Why is so much money needed?' "We're barely making ends meet here, raising money for children's treatment from the whole world, while those in power are rolling in cash," said Vyacheslav Lemkus.

The drone attacks on the city were also discussed behind the scenes. Lemkus heard talk that the resort season this year and for the next five years would be disrupted due to environmental disasters in Tuapse and other areas of the Krasnodar Krai. Volgograd residents are concerned about the situation in their hometown.

According to Lemkus, the rally lasted no more than 30 minutes. A leader of the Volgograd trade unions spoke. In a brief speech, she reminded those gathered that "the working person is the foundation of society" and thanked the activists for coming to the rally with their children, noting that this creates "continuity between generations." The speaker wished for a speedy return to peace. However, according to Lemkus, she did not specify in which country this peace was intended to come. "After a brief speech by the union boss, a children's group spoke, the rally ended, and immediately the wind blew everyone away. The site emptied in an instant. It seemed as if the rally participants were those pursuing careers at their companies through the union. They had clearly sacrificed their time for the sake of their careers. "The trade union rally turned out to be extremely short this year," Vyacheslav Lemkus concluded.