In this photo provided by the Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service on Nov 11, 2026, Russian Ambassador to the US Alexander Darchiev poses for an official undated photo in Moscow, Russia. (Photo: AP/Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service)

Russian ambassador to US dies: Foreign ministry

· CNA · Join

Read a summary of this article on FAST.
Get bite-sized news via a new
cards interface. Give it a try.
Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FAST
FAST

MOSCOW: Russia's ambassador to the United States, Alexander Darchiev, has died suddenly at age 66 after one and a half years in the job, Moscow's foreign ministry announced Wednesday (Nov 11).

The ministry called Darchiev an "outstanding diplomat, an experienced leader and a kind colleague". He was appointed in March 2025.

Moscow did not give more details on the death.

The US State Department said Darchiev died Wednesday in Moscow.

CNA Games

Guess Word
Crack the word, one row at a time

Buzzword
Create words using the given letters

Mini Sudoku
Tiny puzzle, mighty brain teaser

Mini Crossword
Small grid, big challenge

Word Search
Spot as many words as you can
Show More
Show Less

"We offer our condolences to Ambassador Darchiev's family and loved ones. We refer you to the Russian Government for additional details regarding his passing," a State Department spokesman said.

Darchiev previously served as Russia's ambassador to Canada between 2014 and 2021.

He was appointed to the US role last year shortly after President Donald Trump returned to power, and several years into Moscow's Ukraine offensive that has pitted Russia against the West.

Darchiev was a specialist in Russia-US relations and was the director of the foreign ministry's North America department between 2021 and 2024.

When Russia attacked Ukraine in 2022, Darchiev called the move a "necessary measure".

Source: AFP/nh

Sign up for our newsletters

Get our pick of top stories and thought-provoking articles in your inbox

Subscribe here

Get the CNA app

Stay updated with notifications for breaking news and our best stories

Download here

Get WhatsApp alerts

Join our channel for the top reads for the day on your preferred chat app

Join here