ASHGABAT - Russia will resume Turkmen gas imports in January 2010 after a nine-month break, the deputy head of Russian gas export monopoly Gazprom, Alexander Medvedev, told reporters on Tuesday.

We plan to start supplies starting from Jan. 1, but no later than Jan. 10, he said. Medvedev added volumes would amount to 30 billion cubic metres a year under a long-term deal, but did not specify volumes for 2010. (Reporting by Denis Dyomkin, writing by Dmitry Zhdannikov, editing by Robin Paxton)