ST PETERSBURG, Russia, April 24, 2012 (Press Release) -The Forest Branch of Ilim Group in Koryazhma (Arkhangelsk Oblast) is underway in preparation for the upcoming fire season. Planned fire prevention activities include construction of 244 km of new mineralized belts and upgrade of the existing 436 km of mineralized belts. Moreover, 131 picnic areas will be created and 292 fire hazard warning signs will be installed in the forests.

As forest fire fighting efforts in the Lensky District of the Arkhangelsk Oblast have shown, logging equipment fitted with water tanks is very efficient in fire fighting operations. Therefore, 11 special metal tanks were manufactured and delivered to all logging sites of Koryazhma Forest in order to support their fire fighting efforts. At a later stage, Koryazhma Forest plans to fit all tanks with 2 motor pumps to pump water and ensure its continuous supply. These measures will significantly improve fire safety of the forest resources leased by the Company.

Last year during the fire season Ilim Group put out 22 forest fires and localized 1 hot spot in its logging concessions in the Arkhangelsk Oblast.