A former London taxi driver who helped save hundreds of Ukrainian servicemen wounded in battles with Russian forces has died at the front.
Peter Fouché, co-founder of the charity Project Konstantin, responsible for organising the medical evacuation (medevac) of more than 200 Ukrainian soldiers, was killed in combat last month, the charity revealed on Sunday.
Fouché, 49, was born and raised in Bluewater Bay, South Africa. He served as a sniper in the country’s “Flying Squad,” an elite branch of the police service tasked with providing rapid responses to major violent crimes, including murder, armed robbery and kidnapping.
The father of one later moved to Fulham, west London, and obtained British citizenship. In Britain, he worked in construction and later became a driver for the Addison Lee taxi and courier company.
But in March 2022, Fouché headed to Ukraine following the Russian invasion in February, desperate to put into practice the skills he learned during his time in the Flying Squadron.
Peter Fouché, co-founder of the charity Project Konstantin, responsible for organising the medical evacuation (medevac) of more than 200 Ukrainian soldiers, was killed in combat last month, the charity revealed on Sunday.
Peter was a former sniper in the South African police force and worked as a courier and taxi driver in London before the outbreak of war in Ukraine.
Announcing his death on social media this weekend, a spokesperson for Project Konstantin shared a moving tribute to Fouché, affectionately known as Hasta La Vista, which recounted his work saving lives on the front lines of Ukraine.
“It is with the deepest regret in our hearts that we announce the passing of Pete, our beloved director and founder,” he began.
‘There are no words that can do justice to Pete’s life. No words or phrases could ever sum up how much he meant to all of us. Pete’s unwavering dedication, endless compassion, and tireless commitment to Ukraine and its people have left a lasting impact on the countless lives he touched. His heroism knew no bounds.
‘He took an active part in rescuing more than 200 wounded Ukrainian soldiers, in evacuating civilians from the most dangerous towns on the front and in delivering humanitarian aid to the population of these towns and cities.
‘Pete’s bravery and selflessness in the face of danger were nothing short of extraordinary, and his actions will forever be etched in our hearts.
We will honor Pete’s memory by continuing the work he was so passionate about, carrying forward his legacy of courage and kindness, of fighting for what is right and of speaking out against injustice.
The heartfelt tribute concluded: “Rest in peace, Peter. We know that our Heavenly Father has taken you into His arms. Your heroism and contributions will never be forgotten and we will make sure that they were not in vain.”
Upon his arrival in Ukraine, Fouché volunteered to fight for kyiv with one of the many territorial defence units that were created after the outbreak of war.
But as a trained member of South Africa’s Flying Squad, he felt his experience in controlling high-speed cars and responding to rapid incidents would be better suited to performing medical evacuations.
He later co-founded the charity Project Konstantin with Tetyana Millard, a British-Ukrainian citizen who was also involved in providing humanitarian aid to frontline towns and evacuating wounded soldiers.
Millard died in a horrific car crash while driving a donated car to a frontline post in Ukraine last year.
The charity’s name is a tribute to a Ukrainian soldier named Konstantin who fought alongside Fouché and was killed by Russian mortar fire.
Announcing his death on social media this weekend, a spokesperson for Project Konstantin shared a moving tribute to Fouché that recounted his work saving lives on the front lines of Ukraine.
In this screenshot taken from a social media clip, Fouché is seen standing in front of a damaged building in Ukraine.
In 2023, Fouché was operating near the besieged town of Bakhmut, where he was actively involved in providing medical assistance to Ukrainian soldiers just 800 meters from the front line.
Talking about his experiences with Meter Late last year, Fouché said:
“We are integrated into the Ukrainian army and live in a bunker 800 meters from the zero line,” he said.
‘Whenever they find a wounded soldier, they call us and heal him as best they can before we run and catch him.
“We take him from his beautiful but hellish post to the road ambulances waiting for us in a secret location.”
He also explained what prompted him to move to Ukraine and volunteer to fight and serve.
They say once a cop, always a cop…
“When I saw the images of innocent Ukrainians being killed as the full-scale invasion began, I felt that something was bothering me about the police.
‘It took me a lot of work to gain the trust of a Ukrainian brigade to work in a very dangerous area, and it’s a wonderful relationship..’
Earlier this year, he criticised Western governments amid delays in sending military and humanitarian aid to kyiv.
“How dare you spout your nonsense like this?” she said in a social media post. “Imagine if these were your children being slaughtered here.”
“Put yourself in the place of the Ukrainians for once: we are being eliminated, exterminated. I am ashamed to be a Westerner.”
In addition to performing medical evacuations of wounded soldiers, Project Konstantin members are responsible for delivering essential supplies such as vehicles, drones, uniforms, food and more to soldiers on the front lines.
