‘What is the big idea?’ Russian ambassador fights for wife’s right to join social club

Russia’s ambassador to the US, Alexander Darchiev, has died in Moscow at the age of 66. Russia’s foreign ministry announced the death on Wednesday, describing Darchiev as an outstanding diplomat, experienced leader, and brilliant scholar of US history and affairs. DW News reported that he died from a chronic illness, while DW English (Top Stories) noted the illness was unspecified.

Darchiev had been in his post since March 2025, following a six-month vacancy after Anatoly Antonov was relieved of his duties in October 2024. His previous experience included serving as Russia’s ambassador to Canada from 2014 to 2021 and leading the foreign ministry’s North America and North Atlantic departments. According to DW English (Top Stories), he also led Russia’s negotiating team during Ukraine peace talks with the US in Istanbul in February 2025.

The US State Department confirmed Darchiev died on Wednesday in Moscow and offered condolences to his family. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warned against the spread of conspiracy theories regarding his passing, accusing US media outlets of being particularly active in that regard.

Brief written by urgent.news from The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, Free Malaysia Today, DW News, DW English (Top Stories) — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.