Group and Russia Business Unit Management appointments -- AMSTERDAM, Sept. 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- "VimpelCom Ltd." ("VimpelCom," "Company" or "Group") (NYSE: VIP), a leading provider of telecommunications services, today announces the promotion of Anton Kudryashov to the Group Executive Board as Chief Group Business Development and Portfolio Officer with effect from 14 October 2013, and the appointment of Mikhail Slobodin as Head of the Russia Business Unit, effective immediately. In his new role Anton Kudryashov will be based at the Group headquarters in Amsterdam, responsible for Business Development and Mergers and Acquisitions, as well as strategic Business Control. Anton's contract has been extended to 31 December 2016. Commenting on Anton's appointment, Jo Lunder, Chief Executive Officer of VimpelCom, said: "I am very pleased that Anton has accepted our offer to join the Group Executive Board. Under his strong leadership our business in Russia has reversed the negative trends of the previous years and has significantly strengthened its market position, through closing the gaps in products and services as well as successfully launching and executing key strategic projects aimed at improving the efficiency of the operations and achieving a superior customer experience. Anton will have much to contribute from his new position on the Executive Board and will be advising on the execution of our Value Agenda. Mikhail Slobodin (40) graduated from the Ural State University in 1993, majoring in Economics, and has an Academic degree as Candidate of Science (Engineering). Before joining VimpelCom Mikhail was an Executive Vice President of Strategy and New Business Development in OJSC TNK-BP Management. Prior to this, between 2003 and 2011 he held key positions in several companies in the Oil & Gas sector including as President of OJSC Russian Utility Systems; General Director, President of CJSC Integrated Energy Systems; Vice President for Energy of OJSC TNK-BP Management and as Director of the Engineering Business Development Department of OJSC TNK Management. Mikhail started his business career in 1998, as Head of the Economics Division in OJSC SUAL. Jo Lunder, Chief Executive Officer of VimpelCom, added: "Mikhail is an accomplished and recognized leader with many significant achievements in his career. We welcome him to Vimpelcom and I look forward to successful implementation of the already launched strategic initiatives to the further growth of our Russian business under his guidance. Mikhail Slobodin has several state and professional awards. He is an Honored Employee of UES of Russia, a Correspondent member of the Russian Engineering Academy; he has an Acknowledgement by the President of the Russian Federation for his work aimed at promoting and supporting children's sports in Russia and he was named the Best Manager in the Russian power industry in 2010, according to the Kommersant newspaper rating. About VimpelCom VimpelCom is one of the world's largest integrated telecommunications services operators providing voice and data services through a range of traditional and broadband mobile and fixed technologies in Russia, Italy, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Armenia, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Algeria, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Burundi, Zimbabwe, Central African Republic and Canada. VimpelCom's operations around the globe cover territory with a total population of approximately 753 million people. VimpelCom provides services under the "Beeline," "Kyivstar," "djuice," "WIND," "Infostrada" "Mobilink," "Leo," "banglalink," "Telecel," and "Djezzy" brands. As of June 30, 2013 VimpelCom had 215 million mobile subscribers on a combined basis. VimpelCom is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol (VIP). For more information visit: http://www.vimpelcom.com. SOURCE VimpelCom Ltd. RELATED LINKS http://www.vimpelcom.com