Russia Reveals Cause of Death of Its Ambassador to US

A Russian flag flies over the Russian Embassy in Washington on Nov. 11, 2026. Russia's ambassador to the United States, Alexander Darchiev, died "suddenly" at the age of 66 after just one and a half years in the job, Moscow's foreign ministry announced Wednesday. Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images

The Kremlin’s ambassador to the United States, Alexander Darchiev, died on Wednesday, and a Russian Foreign Ministry official has now said that he died following a chronic illness.

“We are receiving a large number of condolences from around the world” after his death, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a post on Telegram, according to a translation. “They are filled with the sorrow of loss and warm memories of our shared work and friendship.”

But she chastised “the American media” as organizations that have “become increasingly vocal with obscene conspiracy theories.”

“Allow me to answer these inquiries in keeping with our tradition of respect for the family and loved ones who are grieving,” Zakharova said. “Alexander Nikitich died today in Moscow from a chronic illness.”

The initial statements from the Russian Foreign Ministry did not list his specific cause of death or where he died. Zakharova did not elaborate on the illness.

Expressing its “profound sorrow” over his death, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on social media that the 66-year-old “passed away suddenly” on Wednesday.

“We have lost an outstanding diplomat, an experienced leader, a kind colleague and a mentor. An exceptional professional and a distinguished expert on the United States, Alexander Darchiev served in one of the most demanding areas of Russian foreign policy,” the statement reads.

In response to his death, the Russian Embassy in Washington said in a statement on X that Darchiev “devoted his entire life to steadfastly defending Russian interests in North America and building relations with the United States on an equal footing,” according to a translation.

The diplomat was also “distinguished by his trust in his subordinates and his deep respect for people,” the statement said, adding that he had attempted to “unite the staff and create a working environment in which the support of a senior, more experienced colleague was there to lean on whenever needed.”

Darchiev had been Russia’s ambassador to the United States since March 2025, after he was appointed to the position by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Prior to his appointment, Russia had no ambassador in Washington from October 2024, when the previous envoy, Anatoly Antonov, left his position.

Darchiev had served two long periods in Russia’s Washington embassy and was ambassador to Canada from 2014 to 2021.

In June 2025, Darchiev presented his credentials to U.S. President Donald Trump and described their meeting as “very constructive,” saying at the time that he would work to restore U.S.–Russia relations, which have soured in recent years amid Russia’s war with Ukraine.

Washington’s relations with Moscow plunged to their lowest in decades under former President Joe Biden due to the war. Ties have improved since Trump took office, with the two sides in contact to discuss a possible resolution to the conflict.

“It was a great honor for me, as Russian ambassador, to speak with President Trump and I assured him that I and this embassy under my direction will do everything to restore Russian-American relations and bring them back to normality and common sense,” he said.

Reuters contributed to this report.