Russian Defense Ministry rejects information of investigation in Pankisi

The Russian Defense Ministry did not confirm announcements of some massmedia sources that a group of Russian officers had left for Georgia toinvestigate the bombing incident in the Pankisi gorge, the ministry's pressservice reported to RBC. The source dismissed this information as false.The press service reported the ministry would provide official reports inthe event such a group was established.Russian officials suggested conducting a joint investigation with Georgianrepresentatives of the incident in the Pankisi gorge earlier. According toGeorgian authorities, Russian planes conducted sorties over the Pankisigorge on August 23. The Russian Defense Ministry denied these accusations..