On July 29, 2014, a day that began like any other in the remote village of Olomlocated in the Siberian region of Yakutia, Karina Chikitovaonly four years old, decided to follow her father, who was going into the forest to fight forest fires. However, her father, absorbed in his task and worried about the immensity of the landscape, did not notice his daughter’s presence, which would lead to her disappearance.
Karina, with the typical curiosity of her age and an adventurous spirit, followed her father without a second thought. In his childish mind, the Siberian forest was a vast and mysterious place, but not fearsome. Accompanied by her faithful dog Naida, the little girl went deeper and deeper into the forest, until the shadows of the trees completely surrounded her. Meanwhile, at her house, her grandmother, in charge of taking care of her in her mother’s absence, assumed that Karina He was with his father.
This assumption, while logical in an environment where families often disperse to accomplish daily tasks, turned out to be a critical error. Karina, Talinahe just realized his daughter’s disappearance on August 2ndfour days after the girl had followed her father into the forest.
The little girl, alone in the immense and dangerous siberian forestwas exposed to the elements and the predators that lurked in every shadow. The forest was no place for a girl, especially in a region where temperatures could drop dramatically and where bears and wolves roamed freely. The disappearance mobilized the entire community.
More than a hundred people, including rescuers and volunteers, joined in a desperate search. Hopes were fragile. The days passed slowly, each one marked by the growing fear that the little girl could not survive for long in such conditions.
Karina, without yet understanding the magnitude of her loss, found comfort in the presence of her dog Naidaa faithful companion who would not abandon her.
The pet played a crucial role in his survival. From the first moment, his protective instinct led him to stay close to the girl, providing her with the necessary warmth during the cold Siberian nights. Naida’s loyalty did not waver, even when food was scarce and danger lurked in every shadow, the dog remained at her side, her presence a constant in the solitude of the forest. After nine days of anguish, Naida made an instinctive and vital decision: return to town.
Karina’s disappearance mobilized more than a hundred people, including rescuers and volunteers, who faced the inhospitable Siberian terrain with determination. Every day that passed without any sign of the girl increased the desperation.
From the moment they became aware of the disappearance, rescuers knew they were in a race against time. The conditions in the Yakutia region were extreme: During the summer, temperatures could vary dramatically, and the presence of predators such as bears and wolves increased the danger.. Furthermore, the terrain was vast and dense, making the search difficult.
Rescuers established an operations center in the town, coordinating efforts and using all the tools at their disposal. Helicopters and drones flew over the taiga, but the dense vegetation and beds of grass that Karina had built for shelter made it almost impossible to locate her from the air. Search teams spread out over land, combing the forest meter by meter, guided by hope and despair.
Every day that passed without news of Karina weakened hopes. Bear tracks found in the area increased concern, and rescuers moved with armed guards to protect themselves from possible encounters with these animals. Despite the challenges, the community did not give up in its efforts.
The crucial turn in the search occurred on the ninth day, when the dog appeared alone in the village. Naida was an intelligent and faithful dog, her return meant that she had left Karina in a safe place and had come to get help.
Guided by the pet, the rescuers redoubled their efforts. With the dog in the lead, they headed deeper into the taiga, following the clues he provided. Hope was reborn among the search teams, and everyone’s energy was renewed by the possibility of finding Karina alive.
On the eleventh day of her disappearance, rescuers finally found Karina. Curled in a bed of tall grass, the little girl was weak and covered in mosquito bites, but alive. The scene was moving: a little girl, her clothes dirty and torn, her eyes wide and filled with a mixture of fear and hope, stretching her arms out toward the approaching men.
Artyom Borisovone of the rescuers, described the moment with deep emotion: “I was sitting in the middle of the tall grass, completely silent. I didn’t see it at first. She saw me and extended her arms. I picked her up, she was so small, so light, like a feather. I didn’t have shoes. Her face, legs and arms were covered in mosquito bites. I was terrified. She immediately asked for water and food, and she burst into tears. To be honest, I could barely hold back the tears too”.
Rescuers gave her water and small portions of food to help her recover. She was immediately taken to the local hospital, where The doctors were in charge of treating her for dehydration and multiple insect bites.. Despite her physical condition, Karina showed impressive mental strength. She had survived almost two weeks in one of the most inhospitable environments on the planet, thanks to her ingenuity, Naida’s company, and her incredible resilience.
Karina’s story captured the attention of the entire world, and her incredible survival became a source of inspiration. In the regional capital of Yakutsk, a statue was erected in honor of Karina and Naida, symbolizing the bravery and loyalty that allowed them to overcome adversity. Her adventure was immortalized in a children’s book, and her name became associated with resilience and courage.
In addition, Karina found a new path in ballet. Her talent took her to the prestigious Yakut Ballet Schoolthe northernmost in the world, where she trains to fulfill her dream of dancing in the Bolshoi theater from Moscow. His story, from the dangers of the taiga to the ballet stages, continues to inspire those who know his journey.
