KIEV, July 23 – The increase in gas prices charged to the public and heating companies will allow the investment of additional funds in the development of Ukrainian gas fields, and increase the volume of gas extracted, Fuel and Energy Minister Yuriy Boyko said at a briefing on Friday.

"About UAH 1.2 billion [received from increasing gas prices] this year will be used to extract gas on the shelf of the Black and Azov seas," he said.