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Vitaly Churkin has served as Russia’s permanent representative to the UN since 2006. The 64-year-old was at the Russian embassy in Manhattan when he became sick with a “cardiac condition” around 9.00am this morning. He was unconscious and needed CPR when he was rushed to New York Presbyterian Hospital.

GETTY Vitaly Churkin has died in New York

But the diplomat has died in hospital, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Monday. The ministry gave no details on the circumstances of his death but offered condolences to his relatives and said the diplomat had died one day before his 65th birthday. He is survived by his wife and two children.

GETTY Vitaly Churkin once starred in a film about Vladimir Lenin

A statement from the Foreign Ministry read: "A prominent Russian diplomat has passed away while at work. We'd like to express our sincere condolences to Vitaly Churkin's family." Tributes to the late envoy have flooded onto social media, with even Russian President Vladimir Putin releasing a comment to pay his respects. The President is said to be deeply upset to learn of the death of Mr Churkin, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov who said: "The head of state highly valued Churkin's professionalism and diplomatic talent." Russia's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Yevgeniy Zagaynov said about Churkin that he kept working "till the very end."

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He added: "The loss that Russia has suffered is irreplaceable. Ambassador Churkin kept working till the very last moment. "He dedicated all his life to protecting Russia's interests abroad. He was at the front line, taking the most challenging appointments." A spokesman for the United Nations said the organisation is "shocked" by the sudden death of the envoy and has extended its condolences to Moscow.

GETTY Vitaly Churkin died after a "cardiac condition"

UN Secretary-General Farhan Haq said: "We mourn ambassador Churkin, he's been such a regular presence here that I'm actually quiet stunned and our thoughts go to his family and his government." Maria Zakharova, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, added: "A great diplomat. An extraordinary personality. A brilliant man. We've lost a person very dear to us." UK amabassador to the UN Matthew Rycroft said: "Absolutely devastated to hear that my friend & colleague Vitaly Churkin has died. A diplomatic giant & wonderful character. RIP." One UN official added: "He was a dear colleague of all of us, a deeply committed diplomat of his country and one of the finest people we have known."

GETTY Vitaly Churkin was a staunch defender of Russian policy

Mr Churkin, who once starred in a film about Vladimir Lenin when he was just 11-years-old, rose through the ranks after graduating from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations in 1974. Formerly the Ambassador at Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation from 2003 to 2006, Churkin has had a number of prominent roles including Ambassador to Canada, Deputy Foreign Minister and spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry. He also held a PhD in history and testified before the United States Congress on the Chernobyl nuclear power station accident - the first time in history a Soviet official testified before a Congressional committee of the House of Representatives.

GETTY Vitaly Churkin defended Russian bombing in Aleppo