[T]he White House National Security Council has denied...media reports that claim hundreds of well-trained US mercenaries are involved in the Ukraine conflict...The news came after the German newspapers Bild am Sonntag and Der Spiegel said...some 400 elite commandos from...Academi...were taking part in the “anti-terror” operation mounted by the self-styled Ukrainian interim government against its own people in the country’s east and south...Following reports on its secret presence in Ukraine, US National Security Council...cited the military firm’s official denial published on its webpage...In its statement, Academi blamed some “irresponsible bloggers and an online reporter” for posting “rumors” that its employees are present in Ukraine. “They are not and Academi has no relationship with any entity named Blackwater or with the former owner of Blackwater, Erik Prince,”...