Photos: A Ukrainian minibus driver’s unexpected tour of duty

Ukrainian soldiers with the Dnipro-1 militia ride by minibus to Donetsk to take part in the fighting.

Militia deputy commander Maxim Dubovsky, right, gives instructions to his troops during a short break in the fighting with opposition forces in the village of Peski, on the outskirts of Donestk.

Ukrainian soldiers take up positions in Peski, where their minibus driver delivered them, in an eye-opening experience for him.   (Sergei L. Loiko / Los Angeles Times)

Ukrainian soldier Ivan Kuryata fires a vintage machine gun during an exchange with opposition forces in Peski on Sept. 27. He was killed about a week and half later.

A Ukrainian soldier kneels next to two local men suspected of being pro-Russia separatists in Peski.  (Sergei L. Loiko / Los Angeles Times)

A soldier cleans up in the yard of a deserted house in Peski where the Ukrainian troops spent the night.  (Sergei L. Loiko / Los Angeles Times)

Deputy commander Maxim Dubovsky thanks driver Alexander Kosenko for his not quite voluntary work in the war zone after their safe return to Dnipropetrovsk.  (Sergei L. Loiko / Los Angeles Times)