Mystery as Russia’s ambassador to the US ‘dies suddenly’ aged 66

Russia’s ambassador to the United States, Alexander Darchiev, has reportedly died suddenly on November 11 aged 66, with the Foreign Ministry confirming his death

Russia’s Ambassador to the USA, Alexander Darchiev, has died suddenly today (November 11) at the age of 66. The Russian Foreign Ministry announced his passing in a brief statement on social media, offering no details regarding the cause or location of his death.

The Foreign Ministry described Darchiev as an “outstanding diplomat, an experienced leader, a kind colleague and a mentor”, praising him as a “brilliant expert on American affairs”.

Officials have not disclosed whether he died in Washington, USA, or Moscow, Russia nor have they announced funeral arrangements or a cause of death. Known for his public denunciations of the West, Darchiev is notable for defending Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine as a “necessary measure”.

Russia President Vladimir Putin installed Darchiev as ambassador in March 2025. He took up the post after Donald Trump returned to the White House.

Darchiev had earlier served at Russia’s embassy in Washington, later becoming ambassador to Canada and then leading the Foreign Ministry’s North America Department, Politico reported. The late diplomat was a veteran career diplomat with a PhD in history.

He spent decades specialising in North American affairs. Darchiev’s sudden passing echoes that of Russia’s former UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin, who died unexpectedly in New York at age 64 in February 2017, WTOP reported.

Churkin died suddenly after collapsing at his desk in New York City. While Russian officials and leaked autopsy details pointed to a heart attack, the US government formally barred New York officials from ever publicly releasing his official autopsy report, the BBC reported.

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