Ukrainian troops not involved in South Ossetia war - Yushchenko

Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko has denied that Ukrainian military units fought for Georgia during the August 2008 war with Russia over South Ossetia.

KIEV, September 7 (RIA Novosti) - Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko has denied that Ukrainian military units fought for Georgia during the August 2008 war with Russia over South Ossetia.

"It's a big lie. I'm prepared to support any international investigation. Similar lies were also spread during the gas dispute at the beginning of the year to swing public opinion in Europe against us," Yushchenko said in an interview with the Der Spiegel magazine published on Monday.

Russia has alleged that Ukrainian soldiers and at least 200 members of the Ukrainian National Assembly - Ukrainian National Self Defense (UNA-UNSO) nationalist movement participated in the conflict, which began when Georgian troops attacked South Ossetia in a bid to bring the republic back under central control.

Russian investigators claim to have found uniforms, photographs and documents belonging to UNA-UNSO members, as well as documents authorizing them to use vehicles provided by Georgian authorities.

Russia has also accused Ukraine of supplying weapons to Georgia during the conflict.

Ukraine's General Staff and UNA-UNSO have already dismissed Russia's allegations as a "propaganda campaign."