Russian Woman and Two Daughters Found Living in Karnataka Forest Cave

Authorities in Karnataka, southern India, have located a Russian woman, Nina Kutina, 40, and her daughters, aged 6 and 4, living in a cave in a remote forest near Ramatirtha Hill. The family was discovered on July 9 during a routine police patrol aimed at warning tourists and foreigners about potential dangers in the area, which is known for snakes and landslides, particularly during the rainy season.

M Narayana, superintendent of police for Uttara Kannada district, said, "The area is popular with tourists, especially foreigners. But it has a lot of snakes and it's prone to landslides, especially during the rainy season. To ensure the safety of tourists, we started patrolling the forests last year."

Police reported that Kutina and her children had been living in the cave for over a week. Officers found the family after a child ran out of the cave as they approached. Kutina told investigators she had previously worked as a Russian language tutor in Goa and was interested in staying in the forest to worship and meditate. Police described the cave as decorated with pictures of Hindu deities and makeshift curtains made from red saris.

Kutina and her daughters have been moved to a detention facility for foreigners living illegally in India. Authorities are coordinating with Russian officials to arrange their repatriation. Kutina reportedly sent a message to friends after being found, expressing that their peaceful life in the cave had ended. She also told local media she spent her days painting, singing, and reading with her children. Officials stated that Kutina has two other children, one of whom is in Russia, and that the Russian consulate has been informed.