Thursday, October 11, 2001, updated at 21:47(GMT+8)
World
Russia Denies Sending Troops to Afghanistan
The Russian Defense Ministry on Thursday categorically denied a Western report alleging Russian troops have entered Afghanistan.
The Times newspaper of Britain said in its Thursday edition that Russian artillery units, belonging to the 201st motorized division deployed in the Tajik-Afghan border, have been transferred to Afghanistan.
The report, based on statements by unscrupulous journalists, " do not correspond to reality," said the ministry's press service.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov stressed on his Wednesday speech to the parliament that Russian would not participate in any military action in Afghanistan.