Amsterdam (May 3, 2012) – VimpelCom Ltd. (“VimpelCom” or “the Company”) (NYSE:VIP) announces today that Maximo Ibarra has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Wind Telecomunicazioni S.p.A. (“Wind”), and as a member of the Management Board of VimpelCom. Mr. Ibarra’s appointment will take effect on May 11, 2012.  Mr. Ibarra was previously Head of the Consumer Business Unit for Wind.

Jo Lunder, Chief Executive Officer of VimpelCom, stated:”I am delighted to announce the appointment of Maximo to lead our Italian business. He has a track record of success in running the Consumer Business Unit and broad experience in both the Telecoms sector and other industries. I am confident that Wind will continue its successful track record of performance whilst executing on our Value Agenda under his leadership.”