In 1986 the world held its breath when the Chernobyl disaster devastated Ukraine, but scientists got creative with the aftermath

Scientists experimented with slightly radioactive fruit, grown in orchards in or near the contaminated exclusion zone that surrounds Chernobyl’s nuclear power plant.

They wanted to see if the fruits could be distilled into a spirit – which was successful.

Profits from the spirit drink called Atomik were channelled into communities that live in deprived areas close to the zone.

Russian troops occupy the land where that fruit is grown and harvested, so now the Chernobyl Spirit Company will support Ukrainian refugees and communities with profits from its two new premium fruit schnapps.

The drinks are distilled from apples, pears and plums from areas affected by the Russian invasion.

Professor Jim Smith and his Ukrainian colleagues set up the social enterprise and he says after spending his career working on the consequences of Chernobyl… he is horrified to see a much worse impact of the Russian war on Ukraine.

The future of the Atomik project – and that of the people who live and grow fruit in their orchards near the exclusion zone – is uncertain.