UNITED NATIONS — A European bid to obtain Security Council approval for a military operation against boats suspected of human smuggling on the Mediterranean Sea is running into opposition from Russia, which wants to ensure that it cannot be used to justify a broader military intervention, diplomats here said.

The Europeans are seeking a Security Council resolution, under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, that would allow them to send their military forces to inspect and seize vessels used for smuggling migrants in the international waters of the Mediterranean.

Russia is still embittered over a resolution adopted in 2011, also under Chapter VII of the charter, authorizing “all necessary measures” to protect civilians in Libya and eventually paving the way for military intervention. Russia abstained on that measure, allowing it to pass. It is now intent on thwarting any measure that could permit further military action, said the Russian ambassador to the United Nations, Vitaly I. Churkin.