OAO LUKOIL Press Service announces that a MI-8 helicopter crashed today at about 10 a.m. in Volgograd Region. Five OOO LUKOIL-Volgogradneftegaz employees were killed, among them:

- Alexander I. Shumlyansky, Deputy General Director for HR;

- Farid N. Shikhotarov, Deputy General Director for Capital Construction;

- Valentin N. Sharaskin, Chairman of the United Trade Union Organization;

- Vasily A. Basyuk, Head of Social Programs Section;

- Evgeniya V. Kaluzhenkova, Head of Public Relations Section.

The helicopter operated by Gazpromavia was making a flight from Volgograd to Kotovo.

OAO LUKOIL management and the Company's employees extend their deepest condolences to the families and relatives of those killed in the accident. All the necessary material assistance shall be rendered to their families.