VimpelCom Signed 8 Billion Rubles and US $250 Million Credit Agreements with Sberbank
10 Mar 2009

Moscow and New York (March, 10, 2009) - Open Joint Stock Company “Vimpel Communications” (“VimpelCom” or the "Company") (NYSE: VIP) the leading provider of telecommunications services in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), today announced that it has signed two non-revolving credit line agreements with Sberbank in the amount of RUR 8 billion and US$250 million.
 
The three year loan agreement with Sberbank in the amount of RUR 8 billion bears interest at a maximum rate of 19.0% per annum and matures in December, 2011. The four year loan agreement with Sberbank in the amount of US $250 million bears interest at a maximum rate of 13.0% per annum and matures in December, 2012.  Both loans are secured by a pledge of telecom equipment.

VimpelCom intends to use the proceeds from the loans for refinancing of its existing indebtedness denominated in foreign currency and development of VimpelCom’s core business.

Commenting on today’s announcement, Elena Shmatova, Chief Financial Officer of VimpelCom, said,

“We are pleased to have a long-term partnership with Sberbank, the leader in the Russian banking industry, which proved to be strong despite the difficult economic environment.”

This release contains “forward-looking statements”, as the phrase is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements relate to the Company’s intention to use the loan proceeds as described above and are based on Management’s best assessment of the Company’s strategic and financial position and of future market conditions and trends. The actual use of proceeds may differ materially from these statements as a result of continued volatility in the economies in the markets in which the Company operates, unforeseen developments from competition, governmental regulation of the telecommunications industries, general political uncertainties in the markets in which the Company operates and/or litigation with third parties. The actual outcome may also differ materially if the Company is unable to obtain all necessary corporate approvals relating to its business, if the Company is unable to successfully integrate newly-acquired businesses, including Golden Telecom, and other factors. There can be no assurance that such risk and uncertainties will not have a material adverse effect on the VimpelCom Group. Certain factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in any forward-looking statements include the risks described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2007 and other public filings made by the Company with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, which risk factors are incorporated herein by reference. VimpelCom disclaims any obligation to update developments of these risk factors or to announce publicly any revision to any of the forward-looking statements contained in this release, or to make corrections to reflect future events or developments.

VimpelCom Ltd.

Altimo, a leading private equity group, operating on some of the world's most desirable and potentially lucrative mobile telecommunications markets, was created in 2005 from Alfa Telecom, which itself was established in 2004 to hold the telecoms investments of the Alfa Group Consortium (VimpelCom Ltd., MegaFon and Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S.). Those assets are in Russia, the CIS and other promising emerging markets.

VimpelCom Ltd. provides voice and data services through a range of wireless, fixed and broadband technologies. VimpelCom Ltd. is headquartered in Amsterdam and has operations in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Georgia, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Algeria, Bangladesh, Canada, Italy, Pakistan, Burundi, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Central African Republic covering territory with a total population of about 843 million with over 181 mln subscribers. VimpelCom Ltd. operating companies provide services under the "Beeline", "Kyivstar", "Djuice", "Wind", "Infostrada", "Mobilink", "Leo", "Banglalink", "Telecel" and "Djezzy" brands. VimpelCom Ltd. is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "VIP". As of 31 December 2010, Altimo owned 44.65% of the voting shares of VimpelCom Ltd. (since June 2011 -  24.99%).

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