AMSTERDAM, July 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- VimpelCom Ltd. ("VimpelCom", "Company" or "Group") (NYSE:VIP), a leading global provider of telecommunications services, today announces that Mikhail Gerchuk, previously Group Chief Commercial Officer, has been appointed Group Chief Commercial and Strategy Officer with immediate effect. Mikhail will continue to report to Jan Edvard Thygesen, Group Deputy CEO and Chief Operating Officer for VimpelCom Group.

Jo Lunder, Chief Executive Officer of VimpelCom, said: "I am very pleased to announce this key appointment, which reflects our planning for the next stage of the Group's growth. Mikhail will be responsible for the development and direction of Group Strategy, a process which we have already commenced under his leadership."

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 782 million people. VimpelCom provides services under the "Beeline", "Kyivstar", "djuice", "Wind", "Infostrada" "Mobilink", "Leo", "banglalink", "Telecel", and "Djezzy" brands. As of March 31, 2012 VimpelCom had 209 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.