Story highlights Russian Defense Ministry spokesman: Allegations designed to attract sympathy

Ukraine, West have long accused Russia of sending troops, supplies into eastern Ukraine

Ukraine's Prime Minister made latest such allegation on Monday

Moscow (CNN) Ukraine's latest allegations that Russian troops have been deployed into Ukraine are "complete rubbish," the Russian Defense Ministry said Tuesday.

A day earlier, Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said Russian troops had crossed the border to support pro-Russian rebels

Ukraine and the West for months have accused Russia of supporting rebels in eastern Ukraine by sending in Russian troops, weapons and supplies. The United States and European countries have imposed economic sanctions on Russia over its involvement in Ukraine, while Russian officials have frequently denied claims their military has sent forces to bolster the rebels.

On Tuesday, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Monday's allegations were designed to attract sympathy and investment for Ukraine at this week's gathering of political and business leaders in Davos, Switzerland

Yatsenyuk, according to Ukraine's state-run media, said Monday that his country's military "confirmed the fact military personnel and equipment have been transferred from Russia to Ukraine."

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