Russia's Vimpelcom to buy Golden Telecom: WSJ

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Vimpelcom (VIP.N), Russia's second-largest mobile operator, has agreed to buy Golden Telecom Inc GLDN.O for about $4.3 billion, the Wall Street Journal reported on its Web site on Thursday, quoting a source familiar with the matter.

The deal, under which Vimpelcom will pay $105 for each Golden Telecom share -- a 5 percent premium to its Thursday's closing price -- is expected to be announced on Friday, the Journal reported.

The two companies had said earlier this month that they were in talks about a potential acquisition.

Golden Telecom is Russia's largest independent fixed-line operator.

(Reporting by Aarthi Sivaraman; Editing by Gary Hill)