Key facts
- The Russian Foreign Ministry said Darchiev died unexpectedly at 66 and gave no cause of death.
- Darchiev was appointed ambassador to Washington in March 2025, the ministry's announcement implies.
- Before Washington, Darchiev served as Russia's ambassador to Canada from 2014 to 2021.
- He later directed the North American Department at the Russian Foreign Ministry.
- The ministry said: "We extend our deepest and most sincere condolences to the family and loved ones."
Alexander Darchiev, Russia's ambassador to the United States, died unexpectedly at 66, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on November 11, 2026. The ministry did not comment on the cause of death and released no further detail beyond its statement.
The ministry said in a statement on social media: "We extend our deepest and most sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Alexander Nikitich Darchiev."
Darchiev was appointed ambassador to Washington in March 2025. Before that posting he served as Russia's ambassador to Canada from 2014 to 2021 and later as director of the North American Department at the Russian Foreign Ministry.
The news of his death came the same day that Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, envoys of US President Donald Trump, met Ukrainian and Russian officials in Abu Dhabi for another round of peace talks, according to the report.