Russian Woman and Daughters Found Living in Karnataka Forest Cave

Police in Karnataka, southern India, have discovered a Russian woman, Nina Kutina, 40, and her two daughters, aged six and four, living in a remote cave on Ramatirtha Hill. The family was found during a routine police patrol on July 9. According to police officer Sridhar S.R., Kutina and her children had been residing in the cave for over a week.

Authorities stated that Kutina had overstayed her visa and is being processed for repatriation to Russia. She and her daughters have been relocated to a detention facility for foreigners living illegally in India. Police reported that Kutina spent her time meditating by candlelight and expressed to officers her interest in staying in the forest and worshipping God. Sridhar noted that Kutina previously worked as a Russian language tutor in Goa and described her actions as motivated by a sense of adventure.

Images released by police showed Hindu deity pictures on the cave walls and makeshift curtains at the entrance. The Russian Embassy in New Delhi has not commented on the case. After being found, Kutina reportedly messaged friends that their peaceful life in the cave had ended and their home was destroyed. She declined to comment further when contacted by the press, but previously told a news agency that she spent her days painting, singing, reading, and living peacefully with her children.