Maria Zakharova
Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman and director of its Information and Press Department.
Maria Zakharova has directed the Russian foreign ministry’s Information and Press Department since 2015, following press roles at the ministry and Russia’s United Nations mission.
Last refreshed: 22 October 2026
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Russia-Ukraine War 2026Background
Maria Zakharova is Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman and director of its Information and Press Department. Her role places her at the public-facing part of Russian diplomacy, explaining and defending the ministry's positions to journalists. Statements she delivers in that capacity express the Russian government's position, rather than an Independent assessment of a dispute.
Her career includes both ministry work and an overseas diplomatic posting. The OSCE's speaker biography records that she headed the press service of Russia's United Nations mission in New York from 2005 to 2008. She then returned to the ministry's central office, became deputy director of The Information and Press Department in 2011, and took over as director in 2015. OSCE biography.
Who is Maria Zakharova?
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Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 22 October 2026. Editorial standards.