Russian Mother and Daughters Found Living in Cave in India: A Closer Look

Nina Kutina, a Russian mother, and her two daughters were found living in a cave in Karnataka, India. The police are now seeking clarity on their legal status and the circumstances surrounding their residence, while Kutina claims they chose the cave for a healthier, nature-centric lifestyle.

Authorities in Karnataka, India, are piecing together the enigmatic case of Nina Kutina, a Russian woman discovered living in a cave with her two young daughters. Kutina and her daughters—ages six and five—were found by police on July 9 during a routine patrol near Gokarna forest, a region popular with tourists. Initially, the family was placed in a detention center due to their lack of valid documentation to remain in India.

Kutina, 40, has publicly defended her choice of residence through interviews with Indian media, insisting that she and her children found happiness and health living in nature. However, there remains significant uncertainty surrounding how long the family had been in the cave, their prior living situation, and the motivations for their unconventional lifestyle.

Police discovered the cave—the entrance concealed by colorful saris—after noticing brightly colored garments hanging outside. Upon entering, officers found basic supplies, such as plastic mats and instant noodles, along with signs that indicated Kutina and her daughters had made the cave their home. Superintendant M Narayana described that while the cave was quite rudimentary, Kutina and her children appeared comfortable, stating they were persuaded to leave due to the dangers posed by the surrounding wildlife.

Nina Kutina claims to have spent the past 15 years away from her native Russia, traveling through countries like Costa Rica, Thailand, and more. The authorities are currently coordinating with the Russian consulate in Chennai for her repatriation. Dror Goldstein, the girls' father and an Israeli businessman, has expressed urgency in preventing their deportation to Russia, citing a missing person report he filed when Kutina departed Goa without notifying him.

The timeline of the family's stay in the cave remains ambiguous—Kutina stated they had been there for about a week, purchasing groceries shortly before their discovery, and previously lived in a Goa cave. After their rescue, she complained about the conditions in the detention center, contrasting them with her perceived quality of life in the cave, where she engaged her daughters in artistic activities and cooking.

While there were early suggestions that Kutina was living in the cave for spiritual reasons following the discovery of an idol, she denied any religious motivations, asserting that their choice was solely based on a preference for nature. Amidst concerns for the children’s safety in a cave alongside wild animals, Kutina’s determination to remain in the wilderness underscores a complex narrative of personal freedom, legality, and the multifaceted nature of motherhood.