The mysterious story of Nina Kutina, a 40-year-old Russian woman found living with her two young daughters in a cave near the forests of Gokarna, Karnataka, has sparked widespread discussion and curiosity. The family was discovered by local police during a routine patrol following a recent landslide, after officers noticed clothes hanging outside the cave.

According to police reports, Nina Kutina had been residing in the cave with her children for the past two weeks. Remarkably, she had turned the cave into a makeshift home, surviving in isolation amidst thick forests. Kutina first arrived in India in 2016 on a business visa, and since then, she has reportedly traveled to various places, eventually moving away from densely populated areas and settling in this remote natural setting.

Authorities revealed that Kutina’s visa expired in 2017, raising questions as to how she and her children managed to survive both physically and financially for so long while remaining undetected. When police questioned her, Kutina insisted that she did not want to return to Russia and wished to remain in India.

Public interest has been further piqued by questions about how Kutina sustained her family in such difficult conditions—what did they eat, how did they manage daily living, and how did she support her children? In an interview with PTI, Kutina explained that over the past 15 years, she has traveled to nearly 20 countries, and her children were born in different places. She claimed to have delivered her babies without any medical assistance, solely relying on her own knowledge and skills.

“We would rise with the sun, swim in the rivers, and live close to nature. Depending on the weather, I cooked food on a fire or gas cylinder, buying supplies from nearby villages,” Kutina said. She also described how they spent their days painting, singing, reading, and living peacefully. When asked about the dangers of living in a forest, particularly snakes, Kutina replied, “Snakes are our friends. As long as we don’t bother them, they don’t harm us.”

Regarding her financial means, Kutina said she earned money by creating art and music videos, teaching, and sometimes babysitting. She also received occasional support from her family in Russia, including her brother, father, and son. “We always had enough for what we needed,” she added.

Kutina and her daughters have since been transported from Gokarna to Bengaluru, where they are currently held at a deportation center following questioning at the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). Authorities have initiated deportation proceedings due to her visa overstay.

Kutina, however, alleges that their present living conditions are harsh, stating, “This place is dirty, uncomfortable, and we are given only plain rice to eat.” She further claims that all their belongings, including the ashes of her deceased son who passed away nine months ago, have been confiscated.

As the story continues to unfold, many are left wondering about the extraordinary life Nina Kutina has led, and whether a resolution can be found that honors both legal requirements and humanitarian concerns.