The South Ossetian authorities have denied Georgian claims that eight Cossacks were killed near Tskhinvali. \"The Georgian interior minister\'s statement that eight Cossacks were killed near Tskhinvali last night is not true. There are no Cossacks in the Ossetian armed units,\" Chairwoman of the South Ossetian Information and Press Committee Irina Gagloyeva told Interfax. Georgian armed units attacked and overran Ossetian and Cossack positions early on Thursday and eight Cossacks were found dead on the seized heights, Georgian Interior Minister Irakly Okruashvili told Rustavi 2 TV Company by phone. He said the Cossacks left behind many weapons, uniforms and food in their retreat. (Interfax)