Moscow, Russia - Russia's ambassador to the US, Alexander Darchiev, has died "suddenly" at the age of 66 after just one and a half years in the job, Moscow's foreign ministry announced on Wednesday.
The ministry called Darchiev an "outstanding diplomat, an experienced leader and a kind colleague". He was appointed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in March 2025.
"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 ministry statement added.
"We extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Alexander Darchiev's family and loved ones."
Moscow did not give more details on the death.
Darchiev previously served as Russia's ambassador to Canada between 2014 and 2021.
He was appointed to the US role last year, shortly after President Donald Trump returned to power, and several years into Moscow's Ukraine offensive that has pitted Russia against the West.
Darchiev was a specialist in Russia-US relations and was the director of the foreign ministry's North America department between 2021 and 2024.
In 2022, when Russia attacked Ukraine, Darchiev called the move a "necessary measure".