Russian ambassador to US dies suddenly in Moscow
Photo: Alexander Darchiev (Russian media)
Russian Ambassador to the United States Alexander Darchiev has died suddenly at the age of 66. The cause of the diplomat's death has not yet been disclosed, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said that Alexander Darchiev died today, November 11. The ministry provided no further details.
The Russian Foreign Ministry described the late diplomat as an "outstanding Americanist" and noted that he had worked in one of the most important areas of Russian foreign policy.
Before being appointed ambassador to the United States, Darchiev served as director of the Foreign Ministry's North Atlantic Department. He had previously headed Russia's diplomatic mission in Canada.
Updated at 20:50
Later, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova confirmed that Alexander Darchiev had died due to chronic health problems.
The diplomat died today in the Russian capital.
This is not the first sudden death in Russia's diplomatic corps this year.
In January, Russian Ambassador Alexey Panov, who worked for Russian military intelligence (GRU) and was involved in installing surveillance equipment inside and outside the embassy, died under mysterious circumstances in Cyprus.
In addition, in August, Russia recalled its ambassador from London over the UK's military and financial assistance to Ukraine.
At the time, Andrey Kelin left the post, which he had held for seven years, and the Kremlin has yet to nominate a replacement.
