VimpelCom and Golden Telecom signed agreement

to sell “495” numbers to cellular subscribers

April 17, 2006, Moscow.Open Joint Stock Company “Vimpel-Communications” (“VimpelCom” or the “Company”) (NYSE: VIP) and Golden Telecom, Inc. (NASDAQ:GLDN) (Golden Telecom) have announced execution of an agreement that enables the companies to sell “direct” local numbers with the “495” prefix to cellular subscribers on behalf of Golden Telecom.

Based on the Rules of provision of mobile radio communication services and the Rules of provision of local, intrazonal, intercity, and international telephone services that took effect on January 1, 2006, VimpelCom and Golden Telecom have jointly developed a framework they will use to sell “direct” local telephone numbers.

Today “direct” local numbers will be made available to “Beeline” subscribers from the Moscow region. From now on, subscribers acquiring telephone numbers with a “495” prefix will execute a trilateral agreement with VimpelCom and Golden Telecom.

“We are pleased that in the nearest future we will be able to meet the demands of our clients who wish to subscribe to “direct” local Moscow numbers”, - Dmitry Pleskonos, General Manager of ???VimpelCom for the Moscow region commented on the event. 

Jean-Pierre Vandromme, the Chief Executive Officer of Golden Telecom, noted: “Having developed an effective basis for cooperation we are helping our long-time partner – VimpelCom – to become the first cellular operator to offer “direct” local telephone numbers since introduction of new Regulations. This strengthens our cooperation and makes the efforts we undertake to develop joint services for a broad spectrum of subscribers more productive”.

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VimpelCom is a leading international provider of mobile telecommunications services in Russia and Kazakhstan, with newly acquired operations in Ukraine, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The VimpelCom Group's license portfolio covers approximately 232 million people. Geographically it covers 78 regions in Russia (with 136.5 million people, representing 94% of Russia's population) as well as the entire territories of Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. 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".