When Karnataka police teams climbed up the rocky hills near Gokarna earlier this month, they didn’t expect to find a makeshift shelter in a cave — and two young children living there. As per media reports, the discovery of 40‑year‑old Russian national Nina Kutina and her daughters has sparked global headlines and a custody row that spans continents.
Why did she leave it all behind?
Her husband, Dror Goldstein who is from Israel, told the Indian media that the family back home had no idea she was living in a cave. He further said, "I went to see my daughters, to see how they are. She wouldn't let me spend time with them, only a little bit; she made it hard." Goldstein said he wants to see his daughters and wants to share custody. "I want to be able to be in touch and close to my two daughters," he further added.
How she was surviving
Police said in a statement that Kutina spent her time in the cave meditating by candlelight and told investigating officers she was “interested in staying in the forest and worshiping God.” According to Karwar Superintendent of Police Sridhar, she said she had previously worked as a Russian language tutor in Goa, a coastal tourist hub, before moving to Gokarna.
“It is nothing but her love for adventure that brought her here,” Sridhar said. Officers also found pictures of Hindu deities on the cave walls and makeshift curtains made of red saris covering the entrance. A photograph released by the police shows Kutina standing in front of these makeshift drapes, showcasing the life she had built for herself and her children in the wilderness.
The custody storm
Following her rescue, the children have been placed in state care. For now, Kutina faces legal scrutiny over visa violations, and her parental rights are under review. Whether she will be deported or allowed supervised custody is unclear
