MOSCOW, February 13 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's advertising market grew 28% to $5.01 billion in 2005, a Russian advertising expert said Monday.

"In general, the year was successful. We reached 12-13th place in the world, somewhere between Brazil and Australia, and [are in] sixth place in Europe," said Vladimir Yevstafyev, vice president of the Russian Association of Communication Agencies (RACA).

According to the RACA, profits from TV advertising aggregated $2.33 billion last year, a 37% increase on the previous year. The press yielded $1.39 billion, or 16% more than in 2004, and radio stations garnered $300 million, up 20% year-on-year.

About $910 million was spent on external advertising last year, a 28% increase since 2004. Expenses from the promotion of goods and services on the Internet jumped 71% to $60 million.