A daring rescue mission on Victory Peak in Kyrgyzstan has come to a heartbreaking halt. Russian mountaineer Natalia “Natasha” Nagovitsina, 47, remains stranded at nearly 23,000ft with a broken leg, and rescuers now fear the worst.
After ten days of attempts thwarted by extreme cold and dangerous weather, officials have called off the mission.
Natalia’s Ordeal at Extreme Altitude
Nagovitsina, an experienced climber, was injured on August 12 while ascending Victory Peak, which towers 24,406ft above sea level.
Her climbing partner did what they could to assist her before descending to seek help.
Drone footage from three days ago suggested she was still alive, but temperatures have since plunged to minus 23C, making survival increasingly unlikely.
Heroic Efforts and Fatal Consequences
Italian climber Luca Sinigaglia, 49, bravely attempted to reach Nagovitsina, delivering essential supplies including a tent, sleeping bag, food, water, and a gas cooker.
Yet despite multiple attempts using both climbing teams and helicopters, rescuers were unable to bring her down safely.
Tragically, Sinigaglia himself succumbed to hypothermia and low oxygen exposure during the operation.
Eduard Kubatov, head of the Kyrgyz Mountaineering Federation, warned that Nagovitsina’s chances of survival are slim.
“She has been at an altitude of seven thousand meters for more than nine days.
This is practically incompatible with normal life, as the body deteriorates rapidly in such conditions,” he told the BBC.
Abandoned Helicopter and Climbing Missions
The rescue faced further setbacks when helicopters—including a Mi-8 from the defense ministry and a Mi-17VM—were forced to turn back due to poor visibility.
Even a specialized climbing team led by mountaineer Vitaly Akimov had to retreat after suffering injuries and complications from the harsh environment.
Each failed attempt underscored the extreme danger of operating at such altitudes.
Natalia’s History of Courage
Nagovitsina is no stranger to extreme risk. She gained international attention in 2021 when she refused to leave her husband, Sergei Nagovitsin, who suffered a stroke at 22,638ft on another mountain.
Despite rescue teams urging her to descend, she stayed by his side.
Sadly, he died after escaping his restraints in delirium, and his body was never recovered.
A year later, Natalia returned to Khan Tengri to install a memorial plaque for her husband, a testament to her courage and devotion.
Her past bravery has made the current situation all the more poignant, as the world watches anxiously while rescue efforts have been forced to halt.
Mission Called Off Amid Extreme Conditions
The Kyrgyzstan Ministry of Emergency Situations confirmed the operation has ended due to worsening weather and the insurmountable risks faced by rescuers.
For now, Nagovitsina’s fate remains uncertain, a sobering reminder of the perils of high-altitude mountaineering and the human cost of heroism.
