Ukraine's warriors hold back tears as they say farewell to British cabbie, 49, who was killed in the war where he had saved hundreds of lives as a combat medic
Ukrainian soldiers fought back tears as they gathered in Kyiv today to pay last respects to a British combat medic and former cab driver killed in action.
Peter Fouche, 49, helped set up a charity called Project Konstantin which since 2022 has delivered essential supplies to frontline Ukrainian fighters in the bloody conflict against Russia.
According to its website, it has also helped evacuate 219 Ukrainian soldiers from combat zones.
Co-founder Mr Fouche - a former London taxi driver - died 'on the battlefield' on June 27 as his unit clashed with Russian troops, a colleague at Project Konstantin said.
Comrades and friends of late British combat medic Peter Fouche attend a farewell ceremony for him on Independence Square
Peter Fouche, 49, (pictured) helped set up a charity called Project Konstantin which since 2022 has delivered essential supplies to frontline Ukrainian fighters
A mourner pays his respects by the side of Peter Fouche's coffin on July 6 as other soldiers stand in vigil
People read prayers during the funeral ceremony of British combat medic, volunteer, Peter Fouch
At the funeral ceremony, Ukrainian soldiers carried Mr Fouche's coffin through Kyiv's landmark Independence Square, the site of mass protests in 2014 that forced out a pro-Russian president.
Mr Fouche's comrades held back tears as they lined up to say goodbye. Others read prayers as they held up Ukrainian flags and military insignia.
His partner, wearing a traditional Ukrainian embroidered shirt, knelt down to embrace the coffin.
A statement released on Monday by Halyna Zhuk, Project Konstantin's Ukrainian co-founder, called Mr Fouche 'a hero' and praised his 'relentless commitment to Ukraine and her people'.
People held back tears during the emotional ceremony for the beloved British national
Ukrainian soldiers carry the coffin of Peter Fouche who volunteered his services in 2022
Mr Fouche, from west London, helped build a field hospital in Kyiv before he started Project Konstantin and later enlisted in the Ukrainian army, according to the group's website.
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.
Ukrainian servicemen carry a portrait and coffin of the South African born, former cab driver
Soldiers drop to their knees as the coffin of Peter Fouche is ceremoniously carried
Women hug each other during the emotional funeral ceremony of the much respected fallen warrior
In Britain, he worked in construction and later became a driver for cab and courier service Addison Lee.
Announcing his death on social media last 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.
Fouché is seen standing in front of a damaged building in Ukraine in this screengrab taken from a social media clip
Announcing his death on social media, a spokesperson for Project Konstantin shared a touching tribute to Fouché that told of his lifesaving work on the frontlines of Ukraine
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 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.
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.
Mr Fouche's coffin was taken through Kyiv's landmark Independence Square, the site of mass protests in 2014 that forced out a pro-Russian president
A soldier fights back tears as he pays respects to his fallen comrade who co-founded Project Konstantin
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.'
At least five other Britons have been killed while volunteering in Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.
