Though Russia abstained from a UN resolution imposing a travel ban and an assets freeze on alleged violators of human rights in Sudan's Darfur region, it remains opposed to imposing tough sanctions on Sudan, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.

The UN Security Council on Tuesday passed a US-drafted resolution 12-0 with China, Russia and Algeria abstaining.

"We find it counter-productive to introduce tight restrictions against the government of Sudan which will affect its capabilities in ensuring the security of the civilian population in Darfur, sustaining order in the conflict zone, disarming non-governmental groups and detaining those who violate international humanitarian law," the Interfax news agency quoted the Russian Foreign Ministry as saying.

However, Interfax reported that the ministry said Russia is ready to support the measures contained in the resolution which target individuals who have impeded the Darfur peace process or have posed a threat to the region's stability.

The Interfax report of the ministry's comments made no mention of the aspect of the resolution covering the expansion of the existing UN arms embargo on Darfur.

Russia has been a traditional arms supplier to Sudan.

The two-year rebellion in Sudan's vast western region of Darfur and the government's counter-insurgency effort, has left about 180,000 dead and about two million people displaced, according to the United Nations.