A former London cab driver who helped save hundreds of Ukrainian servicemen wounded in battles with Russian forces has been killed on the frontline.
Peter Fouché, who co-founded the Project Konstantin charity responsible for orchestrating the medical evacuation (medevac) of more than 200 Ukrainian soldiers, died in fighting last month, the charity revealed on Sunday.
Born and raised in Bluewater Bay, South Africa, 49-year-old Fouché served as a sniper in the nation’s ‘Flying Squad’ – an elite branch of the police service tasked with rapid response to major violent crimes such as homicides, armed robberies and hijackings.
The father-of-one later moved to Fulham in West London and obtained British citizenship. In Britain, he worked in construction and later became a driver for cab and courier service Addison Lee.
But in March 2022, Fouché headed to Ukraine following the Russian invasion in February, desperate to put his skills learned during his time with the Flying Squad to good use.
Peter Fouché, who co-founded the Project Konstantin charity responsible for orchestrating the medical evacuation (medevac) of more than 200 Ukrainian soldiers, died in fighting last month, the charity revealed on Sunday
Peter was a former sniper in the South African police force and was working as a courier and cab 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 touching tribute to Fouché – known affectionately as Hasta La Vista – that told of his lifesaving work on the frontlines of Ukraine.
‘It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of Pete, our beloved director and founder,’ it began.
‘There are no words that can do Pete’s life justice. No words or phrases could ever encapsulate how much he meant to all of us. Pete’s unwavering dedication, endless compassion, and relentless commitment to Ukraine and her people have left an everlasting impact on the countless lives he touched. His heroism knew no bounds.
‘He was actively involved in saving more than 200 wounded Ukrainian soldiers, evacuating civilians from the most dangerous frontline cities, as well as bringing humanitarian aid to people in those 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 honour 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 up in the face of injustice.
The heartfelt tribute concluded: ‘Rest in peace, Peter. We know that our Heavenly Father has welcomed you into His arms. Your heroism and contributions will never be forgotten and we will make sure that it was not in vain.’
Upon his arrival in Ukraine, Fouché volunteered to fight for Kyiv with one of many territorial defence units that were created following the outbreak of war.
But as a trained member of South Africa’s Flying Squad, he felt his experience of high-speed car control and rapid response incidents would be better suited to performing medevacs.
He later co-founded the Project Konstantin charity 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 horror car crash as she drove a donated car to a frontline position in Ukraine last year.
The charity’s name itself is a tribute to a Ukrainian serviceman named Konstantin who had 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 touching tribute to Fouché that told of his lifesaving work on the frontlines of Ukraine
Fouché is seen standing in front of a damaged building in Ukraine in this screengrab taken from a social media clip
In 2023, Fouché was operating near the besieged city of Bakhmut, where he was actively involved in providing medical assistance to Ukrainian soldiers just 800 metres from the frontline.
Speaking on his experiences with Metro late last year, Fouché said:
‘We are embedded with the Ukrainian army and we live in a bunker 800 metres from the zero line,’ he said.
‘Whenever they get an injured soldier they call on us and they patch him as best they can before we rush forward and snatch him.
‘We bring him from his beautiful but hellish post to road ambulances that wait for us in a secret location.’
He also explained what compelled 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 mown down as the full-scale invasion began it pushed my police trigger button.
‘To be inserted with a Ukrainian brigade has taken a lot of work earning their trust to work in a very dangerous area and it’s a wonderful relationship.’
Earlier this year, he hit out at Western governments amid delays in sending continued military and humanitarian aid to Kyiv.
‘How dare you tell your dilly and dally like this?’ he said in a social media post. ‘Imagine these were your children being butchered out here.
‘Put yourself in Ukrainian shoes for once – we are being terminated, exterminated. I’m ashamed to be a Westerner.’
Besides performing medevacs of wounded soldiers, the members of Project Konstantin are responsible for delivering essential supplies such as vehicles, drones, uniforms, food, and more to soldiers on the front lines.