Russia's ambassador to the U.S., Alexander Darchiev, dies 'suddenly' at 66; no cause given

Alexander Darchiev, Russia's ambassador to the United States, died Wednesday at 66, Russia's Foreign Ministry announced, the Washington Examiner reports. The ministry said he "passed away suddenly" and did not give a cause of death.

"We have lost an outstanding diplomat, an experienced leader, a kind comrade, and a mentor," the ministry said, calling him "a consummate professional and a brilliant expert on American affairs."

Darchiev took up the Washington post in March 2025, succeeding the long-serving Anatoly Antonov. He was previously Moscow's ambassador to Canada from 2014 to 2021, worked in the Foreign Ministry's North America Department and served earlier at Russia's diplomatic mission in the U.S.

Like his predecessor, he was known as a vigorous defender of Russian interests with abrasive rhetoric. His tenure saw some warming between Washington and Moscow as the Trump administration took a mediating role in the Russia-Ukraine war, and restrictions on both countries' embassies were eased, though tensions remained.