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Russian ambassador to US dies suddenly, foreign ministry says

CNN • November 11, 2026 • general

Key Points:

Russia’s ambassador to the United States, Alexander Darchiev, died suddenly in Moscow at the age of 66, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.
Darchiev had been battling a chronic illness and was described as an “exceptional professional” who served in a demanding area of Russian foreign policy.
He had been ambassador to Washington since March 2025, a period marked by improved US-Russia relations during President Donald Trump's administration.
Prior to his current role, Darchiev led the Russian Foreign Ministry’s North Atlantic Department and served as ambassador to Canada from 2014 to 2021.
His death echoes that of another Russian diplomat, Vitaly Churkin, who died suddenly at 64 in 2017; the average life expectancy for Russian men is 68 years.