Russian Woman Defends Life in Remote Indian Cave With Her Two Daughters

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A Russian woman who had been living in a forest cave in Karnataka with her two young daughters has defended her lifestyle choice, saying they were safe, happy, and healthy. The woman, identified as 40-year-old Nina Kutina, was found by police during a routine patrol near Ramatirtha Hill in the coastal town of Gokarna.

Kutina and her daughters, aged six and four, had been living in a cave without electricity or modern amenities. Authorities intervened after noticing clothes hanging outside the cave and relocated the family to a government-run shelter in Karwar. The discovery raised safety concerns, as the area is prone to landslides and wildlife activity.

According to police, Kutina entered India on a business visa in 2016, which expired in 2017. She reportedly re-entered India in 2018 but remained without valid immigration status. Legal proceedings are underway to address her overstay and possible deportation.

Despite the living conditions, Kutina maintains she chose the cave life for spiritual reasons and to raise her children close to nature. “We were not dying. We had everything we needed,” she said in a video shared on social media. “They swam in the waterfall, we painted, cooked, and played. It was a peaceful life.”

She also criticized the conditions of the Karwar shelter, describing it as unclean and unsuitable for children. “The cave was cleaner. Here, they are locked up with strangers,” she said.

The children’s father, Israeli national Dror Goldstein, is seeking shared custody and has expressed concern about their potential deportation. He claims one of the daughters is eligible for Indian citizenship and has asked authorities not to send them back to Russia, fearing loss of contact.

Police say the children are in good health and have not shown signs of neglect. However, the absence of formal schooling and the dangers of living in a forested area have prompted state authorities to act in the children’s interest.

Officials are coordinating with the Russian Embassy and India’s Foreigners Regional Registration Office to determine the next steps for the family. The custody and immigration cases remain ongoing.