Russian Foreign Ministry says its ambassador to US has died

Russia's Foreign Ministry has said that Alexander Darchiev died from a chronic illness at the age of 66. The long-time diplomat had been in the Washington post since early 2025. Russia's Foreign Ministry said Wednesday that Alexander Darchiev, Moscow's ambassador to the US , died from an unspecified chronic illness in Moscow at the age of 66.

Darchiev was appointed to the post by Russian President Vladimir Putin in March 2025 after Donald Trump returned to the White House and the two countries sought to improve relations. The post had been vacant for six months before his appointment after hardliner Anatoly Antonov was relieved of his duties in October 2024. In a statement, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova described Darchiev as "an outstanding diplomat, experienced leader, good comrade and mentor" and a brilliant scholar on US history and affairs.

Zakharova warned against the spread of conspiracy theories surrounding Darchiev's passing, accusing US media outlets of being "particularly active" in that regard.