KIEV, November (RIA Novosti) - The number of deaths in Ukraine from flu viruses has climbed to 213, the country's Health Ministry reported on Wednesday.

The ministry reported 24 deaths from viral infections on Tuesday alone.

Ukraine's flu epidemic began at the end of October and nearly 1.2 million have fallen ill.

According to the latest figures, 70 cases of the A/H1N1 swine flu have been confirmed with 17 resulting in deaths in the country.

The country's foreign minister, Petro Poroshenko, said on Tuesday Ukraine had received about $3 million in foreign aid to fight the pandemic.