Russia’s Foreign Ministry says the diplomat died in Moscow following a chronic illness.
Read the storyNovember 12, 2026, 5:48 a.m. Central time.
Alexander Darchiev, Russia’s ambassador to the United States, died Wednesday at age 66, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said.
Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova later said Darchiev died in Moscow from an unspecified chronic illness, according to the Associated Press and Reuters. The ministry did not identify the illness.
Darchiev became ambassador to the United States in early 2025, succeeding Anatoly Antonov, according to AP. Earlier in his career, he served as Russia’s ambassador to Canada and held senior Foreign Ministry posts dealing with North America and the North Atlantic.
In February 2025, Darchiev led a Russian delegation at talks with the United States in Istanbul, AP reported. He was appointed to the Washington post in March 2025.
An earlier version of this article incorrectly said Darchiev died in Washington. Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said he died in Moscow after a chronic illness. This article was updated on November 12.
2014–2021: Darchiev served as ambassador to Canada. March 2025: He was appointed ambassador to the United States. November 11, 2026: Russia’s Foreign Ministry announced his death.
The star marks the Embassy of the Russian Federation on Wisconsin Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., where Ambassador Alexander Darchiev headed Moscow's diplomatic mission.
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