Ekaterinburg – October 20, 2004 – Uralsvyazinform (RTS and MICEX: URSI/URSIP) the leading carrier of fixed-line and mobile services in Urals region, Russia reports on assignment National Senior Unsecured rating ‘A+ (rus)’.

On October 18, 2004 Fitch Ratings, the international rating agency, assigned Uralsvyazinform National Senior Unsecured rating ‘A+ (rus)’. The company’s National rating reflects its relative creditworthiness to other Russian issuers in local currency in all sectors.

Fitch notes that the rating for Uralsvyazinform reflects the company’s strong market position in Urals and part of Western Siberia in both fixed-line and mobile segments. The agency believes that the company demonstrates organic growth and the outlook for 2004 and beyond is positive in this regard.

Uralsvyazinform’s assigned National rating is consistent with the level of its international Long-term local currency ratings. The company’s Senior Unsecured foreign currency rating is ‘BB-’, Outlook Stable.

More details on Uralsvyazinfrom National rating assignment are available on Fitch Ratings web-site at www.fitchratings.com.