Washington imposed sanctions against seven businessmen, including Viktor Bout and Dmitry Popov - the owner and general manager, respectively, of the aviation firm Great Lakes Business Compàny - for allegedly selling military equipment in the war-torn African state, which the U.S. said threatens its foreign policy.
"I have nothing to do with any weapons deliveries to the Congo," Bout told the Ekho Moskvy radio station.
He said the White House is trying to justify its unsuccessful policy to settle conflicts in Central Africa by casting blame on him.
Over four million people are believed to have died in the Congo in a conflict that raged between 1998-2002 in the east of the country, despite the presence there of 16,000 UN peacekeepers.
Bout heads several large transportation companies. Last year, a UN commission called to have him placed on an arms supplier black list.
The U.S. blocked all property on its territory belonging to the seven accused, as well as all U.S.-based assets.
According to a UN report, the Great Lakes Business Compàny is registered and headquartered in the Congolese city of Goma. The company owns five planes, including two An-32 Cline military transport aircraft, one An-12 Cub and two An-2 biplanes.
