Russian oligarch Yevgeny Prigozhin, whose Wagner Group played an important role in the conflict in Ukraine, has demanded that Russian companies provide time for employees to train at the private military group’s camps in Russia, CNN reports.

In a statement from the Concord group, Prigozhin, who is called the “chef” of Russian President Vladimir Putin, noted that “many volunteer militiamen, especially from the Belgorod and Kursk regions, are currently undergoing military training at the Wagner PMC bases.”

“Unfortunately, some enterprises where these militia volunteers work do not allow them to take short study leaves,” he continued.

Prigozhin noted that these are “state companies owned by big businessmen who live far from the Kursk and Belgorod regions (usually somewhere in Moscow.)”.

“Consider this an open call to big business owners whose employees are trying to get training to help them defend their homeland. Be kind and do not prevent militia volunteers from receiving study leaves; otherwise, the names of your companies and directors will be made public,” he said.

As the conflict continued, Prigozhin took an increasingly populist tone, accusing parts of the Russian ruling elite of insufficient support for the Russian army and criticizing the Ministry of Defense for its poor organization.

Earlier on Wednesday, CNN reported that US President Joe Biden’s administration was considering designating the Wagner Group as a foreign terrorist organization amid ongoing efforts to impose sanctions on Russia over its war in Ukraine, according to a US official.

In September, Prigozhin admitted for the first time that he founded “Wagner” in 2014 to fight in Ukraine and acknowledged the presence of the mercenary organization in Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.

For years, Wagner has been suspected of aiding the Kremlin’s ambitions, particularly in Ukraine, where fighters from the paramilitary group were on the front lines during the offensive that began in February.

At the beginning of November, Wagner opened its first headquarters in St. Petersburg, the second largest city in Russia, AFP reports, citing Agerpres.