Czech Republic has deployed about 650 soldiers near the border with Austria.

PRAGUE (Sputnik) — The Czech Defense Ministry has deployed about 650 servicemen near the border with Austria to provide assistance to police officers in case of unprecedented influx of undocumented immigrants, the country’s defense minister said Friday.

"We have 650 soldiers there in state of permanent readiness, ready to start joint actions with the republic’s police [on border control] within 120 minutes," Martin Stropnicky told reporters.

According to the minister, the soldiers were sent to three sites within walking distance from some of the border crossings with Austria on Friday evening.

"If need be, our military can immediately start their activities related primarily to the monitoring of the situation, as well as carry out duty in public places," Stropnicky added.

According to the country's authorities, the number of policemen on the border with Austria has increased from 200 to 720 beginning with Friday.

On Saturday, the Czech Republic will take control over all 20 border crossings with Austria. Moreover, it enhanced control over sidewalks and bicycle lanes running through forests.

The European Union is struggling to deal with a massive refugee crisis, with a growing number of undocumented migrants attempting to cross into EU member countries and apply for asylum.