Spokesman Andriy Demchenko told the Ukrinform news agency: “Some lost their lives trying to cross a mountain river or cross the mountains.”

“Overall, since the full-scale invasion began, about 30 people have died attempting to illegally cross the border.”

With a few exceptions, Ukrainian men aged 18 to 60 are not allowed to leave the country in case they are called upon to fight.

On Monday, the border guard reported that 24 men died trying to cross the Tisza River on the border between Ukraine and Romania.

Demchenko said that in addition to those fleeing the war, border guards have also detected around 450 criminal groups trying to transfer people across the border.

“Attempts to illegally cross the border occur every day, most of them outside the border crossings with Moldova and Romania.”

“People with counterfeit documents most often appear at the border with Poland,” he added.

Demchenko had previously said that about 10 men are detained every day trying to leave Ukraine illegally.

Last week, Ukraine suspended consular services for men of mobilization age until May 18, criticizing Ukrainians abroad who, according to the authorities, expect help from the state and do not help it in its fight for survival.

In November, the BBC reported that according to data on illegal border crossings with Poland, Moldova, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia, nearly 20,000 men have fled Ukraine since the beginning of the war to avoid conscription.