Russian ambassador to the United States dies at 66

Russia’s ambassador to the United States, Alexander Darchiev, died suddenly at the age of 66, the Russian foreign ministry announced on Wednesday. Darchiev had held the post for about a year and a half, having been appointed in March 2025. The ministry described him as a diplomat with extensive experience and a colleague who was well-regarded, but gave no further details about the cause of death.

Previously, Darchiev served as Russia’s ambassador to Canada from 2021 to 2024 and led the foreign ministry’s North America department between 2014 and 2020. He was known as a specialist in Russia-U.S. relations. In 2022, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Darchiev referred to the action as a “necessary measure.”