KIEV, Dec. 3 - Naftogaz Ukrayiny predicted that the Russian natural gas price may increase up to 47% in 2010, more than earlier expected, a source in the government said Thursday.

In a forecast recently submitted to the government, Naftogaz predicted the average price will be between $295 and $337 per 1,000 cubic meters in 2010, up from $228/1,000 cu m in 2009, the source said.