BREAKING: Russian Ambassador To The United States Dead “Suddenly” At 66

Russia's ambassador to the United States, Alexander Darchiev, has died at 66, the Russian Foreign Ministry says. https://t.co/AMP1BqUb44 pic.twitter.com/14Yfw9IDsg

— CNN (@CNN) November 11, 2026

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Darchiev replaced Anatoly Antonov as ambassador to the United States in early 2025 amid a sudden thaw in U.S.-Russia relations following President Donald Trump’s return to the White House.

A seasoned diplomat, Darchiev previously served at Russia’s Embassy in Washington in the late 2000s before holding positions in the Foreign Ministry. He later spent six years as Russia’s ambassador to Canada and headed the ministry’s North American Department for four years.

Darchiev was a protegé of President Vladimir Putin’s foreign policy adviser Yury Ushakov, according to Boris Bondarev, a former Russian diplomat in Geneva who publicly resigned in protest of the invasion of Ukraine.

At the time of his appointment, observers said they did not believe Darchiev was likely to wield much influence, as Moscow and Washington have handled most major issues at a higher level in recent years.

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The Russian Foreign Ministry announces with profound sorrow that Alexander Darchiev, Ambassador of Russia to the USA, passed away suddenly on November 11, aged 66.

The cherished memory of our colleague will forever remain in our hearts.https://t.co/YKgRc2yuZk pic.twitter.com/bBLu9zMAe1

— MFA Russia

(@mfa_russia) November 11, 2026

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Veteran diplomat appointed by Vladimir Putin, Darchiev was known for his repeated condemnations of the West.

This death comes as Moscow and Washington struggle to restore deteriorated relations since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. At the time, Darchiev called the move a “necessary measure.”

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