Moscow – March 11, 2008 – Rostelecom (NYSE: ROS; RTS, MICEX: RTKM, RTKMP), Russia’s national long-distance telecommunications operator, today announced the Board of Directors’ approval to pursue acquiring a controlling stake in RTComm.RU from Synterra. As a result, Rostelecom’s stake in RTComm.RU could increase up to 99.5%.

Alexander Kiselev, Chairman of Rostelecom’s Board of Directors and Svayzinvest’s General Director, commented: “The decision to pursue acquiring a controlling stake in RTComm.ru was adopted in line with the Company’s business diversification strategy. The acquisition of RTComm.RU would enable Rostelecom to significantly increase its market presence in the wholesale Internet services market.”

RTComm.RU is one of the leading companies within the Russian telecommunications market, providing Internet access services for operators and a wide range of information and communication services for corporate customers.