Russia's ambassador to the US, Alexander Darchiev, dies at 66

Alexander Darchiev, Russia's ambassador to the United States, has died at the age of 66.
What happened
The Russian Foreign Ministry announced his death on Wednesday, 11 November 2026. Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said he died in Moscow from an unspecified chronic illness. The ministry praised him as an outstanding diplomat and an expert on the United States, and said details of a memorial service would be released later.
His career
Darchiev became ambassador in Washington in early 2025, succeeding Anatoly Antonov. Before that, he headed the Foreign Ministry's North America department, served as Russia's ambassador to Canada and worked as a senior diplomat at the embassy in Washington. In February 2025, he led Russia's delegation at talks with the United States in Istanbul.
Background
In 2017, Russia's UN envoy Vitaly Churkin also died suddenly in New York.
- Darchiev died in Moscow at 66.
- He had been ambassador since early 2025.
- He led talks with the US in Istanbul.
