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In July, a significant story emerged from India that attracted global media attention. Indian authorities discovered a Russian woman and her two young daughters living in a cave near the coastal region of Goa. This situation came to light during a routine police patrol, leading to their unusual living arrangement being uncovered.
Due to expired visas, the family was taken into custody and placed in a migrant detention center, marking the beginning of a difficult chapter in their lives.
The journey to the cave
The woman at the center of this story, Nina Kutina, embodies an adventurous spirit.
Originally from Leningrad, now known as St. Petersburg, she spent her early years in Krasnoyarsk, a city in Siberia. Her life has taken her through various countries, including Ukraine, Thailand, and Sri Lanka, before she ultimately settled with her children in a cave in India.
A desire for a different life
At 40 years old, Nina evaluated her motivations for a significant lifestyle change. She sought to break free from the ordinary routine of her concrete apartment in Moscow. Nina longed for a life near the sea, where her children could immerse themselves in nature and adventure.
“I wanted my children to experience a life filled with nature and adventure,” she stated. This aspiration led her to adopt a distinctive lifestyle with her children, including her eldest son, Dmitry, who tragically lost his life in a car accident in Goa in 2024.
Life in the cave
Nina’s existence in the cave reflects a deep commitment to a natural lifestyle. She has created a cozy living space with wooden planks serving as beds, laid mats on the ground, and decorated the cave with her handmade crafts.
Situated near Gokarna, a town renowned for its beaches and temples, the cave offers a tranquil setting for her family. “We lived comfortably in our cave, surrounded by nature,” she stated, highlighting their vegetarian diet and emphasis on healthy living.
Challenges faced
Life in the cave presented significant challenges despite its tranquil surroundings. The family had to contend with dangers in the forest, such as snakes and wild animals. Nina maintained that humans posed a greater threat than the jungle’s wildlife. “In all our years living in nature, we have never been harmed by animals,” she stated. Instead, she emphasized that the human element represented a more substantial risk to their safety.
From cave to custody
The family’s peaceful lifestyle ended abruptly when their visas expired. After being discovered by police, they were taken to a migrant detention center. Nina described this transition as a severe downgrade from their cave life. “They claimed to protect us from wild animals, yet the conditions were unbearable,” she recounted, noting the presence of large cockroaches and insufficient food.
During her time in detention, Nina contacted the Russian embassy seeking assistance to return to her home country. Complications emerged when a local businessman, who claimed to be the father of her daughters, pursued custody. This legal dispute intensified an already challenging situation.
Return to Russia
After two months in detention, Nina and her daughters were deported back to Russia. Upon their return, they moved in with relatives, where Nina has chosen to embrace her unconventional parenting style. She has decided to homeschool her daughters, opting for a personalized educational experience rather than conventional schooling. “We take nature walks regularly, and I am working on getting their documents sorted for future travels,” she stated.
Nina is dedicated to fostering a supportive environment for her children, advocating for their right to explore the world. Her journey highlights resilience and the pursuit of a life led on their own terms.
