Amsterdam (April 16, 2013), "VimpelCom Ltd." ("VimpelCom", "Company" or "Group") (NYSE:VIP),  announces today that the Company has received approximately USD 1.4 billion from Altimo Cooperatief U.A. ("Altimo") for the conversion of 128,532,000 Convertible Preferred Shares of the Company owned by Altimo into Common Shares of the Company at a ratio of one Convertible Preferred Share for one Common Share.  The conversion premium paid by Altimo to the Company upon conversion was USD 10.835 per share, representing the closing mid-market price of VimpelCom ADS on December 21, 2012, the date of Altimo's conversion notice to the Company. Altimo's voting percentage, which is currently 47.9%, will not increase as a result of the conversion while its economic interest in the Company will increase from 52.7% to 56.2%, based on current outstanding share and ownership percentages.

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, Cambodia, 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 767 million people. VimpelCom provides services under the "Beeline", "Kyivstar", "djuice", "Wind", "Infostrada" "Mobilink", "Leo", "banglalink", "Telecel", and "Djezzy" brands. As of December 31, 2012 VimpelCom had 214 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

For more information please contact:

Investor Relations:


VimpelCom Ltd.
Gerbrand Nijman
Investor_Relations@vimpelcom.com

Tel:+31 (0)20 79 77 200 (Amsterdam)

Media and Public Relations:


VimpelCom Ltd.
Bobby Leach

pr@vimpelcom.com

Tel: +31 (0)20 79 77 200 (Amsterdam)

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