MOSCOW, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Russian Ambassador to the United States Alexander Darchiev died suddenly on Wednesday, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced.
"The leadership and staff of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announce with deep sorrow that Alexander Nikitich Darchiev, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the United States of America, passed away suddenly on November 11," the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry did not specify the cause of death or where Darchiev died.
The ministry described Darchiev as a "distinguished diplomat, an experienced leader, a valued colleague and mentor," adding that he had served in one of the most critical areas of Russia's foreign policy.
The ambassador was born on May 14, 1960. He was 66. ■