Russian ambassador to US dies

MOSCOW - Russia's ambassador to the United States, Alexander Darchiev, passed away suddenly at the age of 66, the country's foreign ministry announced on Wednesday. The ministry described Darchiev as an "outstanding diplomat, an experienced leader and a kind colleague." He had been serving in his post for one and a half years, having been appointed in March 2025. The Russian Foreign Ministry did not provide any further details on the cause of Darchiev's death.

The U.S. State Department confirmed Darchiev's death in Moscow and expressed condolences to his family and loved ones, referring all further inquiries to the Russian Government. Darchiev had previously served as Russia's ambassador to Canada from 2014 to 2021. He was appointed to his current role in the United States shortly after President Donald Trump returned to power and throughout Russia's ongoing military campaign in Ukraine, which began in 2022.

Darchiev was a specialist in Russia-US relations and had led the foreign ministry's North America department from 2021 to 2024. He was known for calling Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 a "necessary measure."