Russian ambassador to US Alexander Darchiev dies at 66

Russia's ambassador to the United States, Alexander Darchiev, has died suddenly at the age of 66, Moscow's foreign ministry announced on Wednesday.

The ministry called Darchiev an “outstanding diplomat, an experienced leader and a kind colleague”. It did not give further details on his death.

Darchiev was appointed ambassador to the United States in March 2025. He had previously served as Russia's ambassador to Canada from 2021 to 2024.

He was a specialist in Russia-US relations and directed the Russian foreign ministry's North America department from 2014 to 2020. In 2022, when Russia attacked Ukraine, Darchiev called the move a “necessary measure”.