OREANDA-NEWS. On 24 June 2009 Mobile TeleSystems OJSC (“MTS” – NYSE: MBT), the largest mobile phone operator in Russia and the CIS, announced that today it has received approval from the Federal Anti-Monopoly Service (FAS) to acquire up to 100% of Comstar UTS, based on its application filed on May 22, 2009.

If realized, the transaction would create an integrated telecommunications operator in Russia and the CIS and accelerate the development of integrated and broadband communications services throughout our regions of operation.

As MTS announced on May 22, 2009, because a potential transaction would involve related parties, MTS’ Board of Directors has established a Special Committee of its three Independent Directors to oversee the transaction process and decide whether to recommend the acquisition of Comstar UTS to the full Board of Directors.  Independent financial and legal advisors, hired through a tender process and reporting to the Committee, will provide fairness opinions, legal analyses and additional advisory services to the Committee members.

JSFC Sistema (LSE: SSA), the largest diversified public financial corporation in Russia and the CIS, owns nearly 50.9% of Comstar UTS and 53.1% of MTS.