Tension arise as Russian ambassador to the United Nations dies in New York

Russia's ambassador to the United Nations (UN), Vitaly Churkin, has died in New York.

The Russian foreign ministry made the disclosure in a statement released late on Monday, February 20.

Telegraph UK reports that Mr Churkin died one day before his 65th birthday.

The foreign minister offered condolences to his relatives, but gave no details about the circumstances of his death.

Mr Churkin, a career diplomat, had represented Russia at the UN since 2006.