OREANDA-NEWS. September 17, 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 an agreement for the acquisition of a 78% stake in Millicom Lao Co., Ltd., a mobile telecom operator with operations in the Lao PDR, from Millicom Holding B.V. (Netherlands) and Cameroon Holdings B.V. (Netherlands). The remaining 22% of Millicom Lao Co., Ltd. is owned by the Government of the Lao PDR, as represented by the Ministry of Finance.

The purchase price for the acquisition will be approximately US\\$66mm and is determined based on an enterprise value of Millicom Lao Co., Ltd.  of USD 102mm.

Boris Nemsic, CEO of VimpelCom, said, “VimpelCom’s entry into Laos is the next logical step in our international expansion strategy. Laos provides a great complement to our existing operations in Vietnam and Cambodia and fits perfectly into our strategy of building a solid Southeast Asian cluster. The growth potential in Laos is attractive, with a population of 6.5 million people and low mobile penetration estimated at around 23%.”

Completion of the acquisition is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals.  Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of such conditions, completion of the acquisition is expected to take place before the end of 2009.

The VimpelCom Group consists of telecommunications operators providing voice and data services through a range of mobile, fixed and broadband technologies. The Group includes companies operating in Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Georgia, Armenia, as well as Vietnam and Cambodia, in territories with a total population of about 340 million. VimpelCom was the first Russian company to list its shares on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). VimpelCom's ADSs are listed on the NYSE under the symbol "VIP".

This press release contains "forward-looking statements”, as the phrase is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act.  These statements relate, among other things, to the acquisition discussed above, the benefits therefrom, and receipt of regulatory approvals for completion of the acquisition.  These statements are based on management’s best assessment of the anticipated closing of the acquisition, the target’s strategic and financial position and on future market conditions and trends. These statements involve risks and uncertainties.  This transaction is subject to conditions precedent, and there can be no assurance that such conditions will be satisfied or waived. Additionally, the actual outcome of the acquisition may differ materially from these statements as a result of unforeseen developments from competition, governmental regulations of the wireless telecommunications industry, general political uncertainties and general economic developments in Laos and the other geographic areas in which the Company operates and other factors.  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, 2008 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 press release, or to make corrections to reflect future events or developments.