London charity founder dies in Ukraine

A British man who founded a charity providing military and humanitarian support in Ukraine has died while fighting in the country, the organisation has said.

Peter Fouche died on Thursday "in the battlefield" after getting badly injured "in combat against Russian forces", Halyna Zhuk, commercial director and co-founder of Project Konstantin, said in a video message.

Mr Fouche set up the charity in 2022 as a team of independent volunteers in Ukraine that provide essential supplies such as drones and food to Ukrainian soldiers.

It also evacuates the soldiers and civilians and delivers humanitarian aid to conflict zones near the front line.

In a statement shared on X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday, Project Konstantin said: "It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of Pete, our beloved director and founder.

"There are no words that can do Pete's life justice. No words or phrases that 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."

Mr Fouche had previously helped to build a field hospital in Kyiv before he founded Project Konstantin and later enlisted as a contracted soldier with the Armed Forces of Ukraine, according to the charity's website.

It said in the statement that his "extraordinary" actions would "forever be etched in our hearts", and described his loss as the "worst nightmare".

"Pete was more than a leader; he was a beacon of hope, a true hero, and a friend to all. His wisdom, compassion, and faith in God inspired us every day," the charity said.

Project Konstantin became a registered charity last year and has so far helped to evacuate 219 Ukrainian soldiers, according to its website.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said it was supporting the family of a British man who had died in Ukraine and was in contact with local authorities.