Putin 'deeply hurt' over Russian UN ambassador's sudden death in New York

Russia's envoy to the United Nations, Vitaly Churkin, died suddenly Monday (local time) in New York, the Russian foreign ministry said.

The 64-year-old envoy, whose death came just a day before his birthday, fell ill while in his mission's office in New York.

Russia's deputy UN ambassador Vladimir Safronkov told the Associated Press that Churkin was rushed to a local hospital, where he died. The cause of his death wasn't immediately known.

A US government official, who was not authorized to speak publicly on the case, said that Churkin had died of an apparent heart attack. A federal law enforcement official, also speaking on condition of anonymity, said that there appeared to be nothing unusual about the ambassador's death.

PUTIN DEEPLY HURT

Russian President Vladimir Putin was "deeply upset" over the news, Russian news agencies quoted the Kremlin as saying. Russia's foreign ministry called Churkin an "outstanding" diplomat and expressed condolences to his friends and family.

Britain's UN ambassador, Matthew Rycroft, tweeted that he was "absolutely devastated" to hear of the death of Churkin, "a diplomatic giant and wonderful character."

Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for the UN secretary-general's office, said, "He has been such a regular presence here that I am actually quite stunned. Our thoughts go to his family, to his friends and to his government."

Churkin had been Russia's envoy at the United Nations since 2006 and was considered Moscow's great champion at the world body. He had a reputation for an acute wit and sharp repartee, especially with his American and Western counterparts.

Also read: Shooter smashed photos on wall: Eyewitness account of Russian ambassador's assassination in Turkey

Also read: Russian diplomat hits biker, assaults cops in Delhi

(With inputs from AP and Reuters)