Press release

Volunteers made an apple spirit from the Chornobyl harvest of liberation – apples harvested in 2022. For the second time, Ukraine is saving the world from moscow’s assault. — In 1986, from the global spread of radiation from the Soviet Chornobyl power station. And in 2022, it became a shield that does not allow russian invaders further into European countries.

The path of the invaders to Kyiv lay through Chornobyl. Its capture became the world’s first act of international nuclear terrorism. But Ukrainians are indomitable indeed. As in 1986, thanks to the work of the liquidators, the radiation receded, so now Ukrainians have cleared their land of the attackers.

From the harvest of Chornobyl lands, which were occupied and then liberated, volunteers who patronize Chornobyl, created a radiation-free apple spirit. To capture in history the eternal indomitability of our nation and to support the recovery of the region.

CHORNOBYL RAY is a Ukrainian product born during the war as a symbol of unstoppable revival. This is a strong apple drink, with 42% ABV, made according to ancient Polissia recipes. It is manufactured from apples grown by local residents of the Chornobyl mandatory resettlement zone in orchards that blossomed just after liberation.

Is CHORNOBYL RAY radiation-free? 100% yes. Our apples are gathered on those territories of the resettlement zone where people live. Manufacturing processes, especially distillation, make it impossible for radionuclides to enter the final product. And the complete radiation safety of the drink is confirmed by laboratory studies and the conclusion of the National Research Center for Radiation Medicine of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine.

Human fear of radiation is quite understandable. But we usually fear what we don’t know. The inability to see, taste or touch radiation and the longstanding lack of information about the real state of affairs in the Chornobyl zone make us fear everything related to it. But more than 35 years have radically changed Chornobyl. Before the outbreak of a full-scale war, hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world visited it annually, and in some parts even safe gardening became possible.

This is what CHORNOBYL RAY tells us about. At first, it shocks, makes you ask questions and get answers, prompts you to think, redefine the history of Ukraine and world history and acknowledge the strength of the Ukrainian spirit. After all, this drink is not for everyone. It is for those who are ready to break stereotypes and seek up-to-date information about the new world.

This story began with a dream. Back in 1986, the radiation reconnaissance officer, the liquidator of the accident’s consequences, Sergii Mirnyi, carried out missions in the abandoned Chornobyl villages, with the orchards, plentiful with apples. ” In the rare quiet moments, I dreamt about the revival of this region. Today, after almost four decades, thanks to the gigantic work of the liquidators and the inevitable processes of natural self-purification, the Chornobyl land has recovered impressively,” he says.

“The year 2022 brought a new war to Chornobyl: this time not with the invisible enemy -radiation, but with the russian invaders. But the Ukrainians chased away the enemy and began to rebuild their own lives,” says Yaroslav Yemelianenko, a co-author of the CHORNOBYL RAY concept and co-founder of the Volunteer Center CHORNOBYL. “It was the war that brought us together in a volunteer team with distillery specialists. Together we drove past mutilated villages and saw how people did not give up, but for a second time lovingly restored everything around them – their own houses, gardens and their normal life. We were fascinated by their strength and indomitability. And decided to share this story with the world. This is how the idea of CHORNOBYL RAY was born – a drink made from apples from Chornobyl Polissia. Which, like after the Chornobyl accident, survived and is recovering after the russian occupation,” he adds.

“Our working meetings took place during rocket attacks, without light and communication,” recalls Iurii Mitin, a co-author of the CHORNOBYL RAY project, “but we did not give up, it was important for us, despite the constant attacks of the enemy, to continue working on an unbreakable product, just like the spirit of Ukrainians. The first limited batch of our drink is made from the 2022 apple harvest. Apples that were carefully grown in their gardens by people who survived the occupation.”

A portion of the proceeds from each collectible bottle of CHORNOBYL RAY goes to the struggle of Ukrainians for freedom and the revival of the country. “Each bottle of this drink is, in fact, an offer to make a charitable contribution to support Ukraine, primarily to foreigners, and to receive a unique drink from Chornobyl, made according to traditional Ukrainian recipes. It can become a gift, a souvenir or even a personal “trophy” in memory of participation in support of the Ukrainians’ struggle against the enemy. At the same time, I am sure that it is also important to support the Ukrainian manufacturer under the conditions of war, because this is an important step in the recovery of the country,” says Yaroslav Yemelianenko.

The market launch of the first batch from the 2022 harvest is scheduled for May, but you can make a pre-order on the website now. The production company “Chornobyl Distillery” is already working on the expansion of the line. It will continue to tell the world about victory and revival through unique craft beverages with a story. Manufacturers enter the international market and are open to cooperation with foreign distributors.

If you are interested in CHORNOBYL RAY, we have created a media pack that helps you learn useful information about our brand. It consists of a press release, a presentation, photo and video materials that you may use for publications about our brand.

https://chornobylray.com/uploads/Mediapack_CHORNOBYL_RAY_2023.rar