(LVIV) - Ukrainian security forces have detained 23 illegal immigrants trying to enter the European Union near Ukraine's border with Slovakia, border officials said Monday.

The refugees from India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria were picked up in three separate groups on Saturday night, the Ukrainian border service said in a statement.

Ukraine, which shares its western border with four EU countries, is one of the routes used by illegal immigrants trying to enter the European bloc.

Illegal immigrants are usually placed in a detention center before being sent back to their home country.

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