Russian Climber Injured on Pobeda Peak, Rescue Attempt Planned

A large-scale rescue operation is underway in the Tien Shan mountains to save Russian climber Natalia Nagovitsina, 47, who broke her leg on August 12 while descending from Pobeda Peak. She has been stranded at an altitude of around 7,000 meters for a week, Orda.kz reports, citing Mash.

Nagovitsina’s climbing partner initially provided first aid and went for help. Foreign climbers later reached her, bringing food, a sleeping bag, and supplies, but severe weather hampered further descent. One of them, an Italian mountaineer, developed frostbite and later died from suspected cerebral edema during repeated rescue attempts.

According to Kaktus Media, the Kyrgyz Ministry of Defense dispatched helicopters to evacuate climbers and rescuers from the mountain. A Mi-8 helicopter made a hard landing in poor weather on August 16, injuring several on board, though none seriously. A second helicopter, the Mi-17VM, successfully evacuated the group.

On August 19, improved conditions allowed two helicopters to make six flights, moving more than 90 people — including climbers, rescuers, and tourists — from high-mountain camps to lower ground. Among those brought down was the body of Russian citizen Alexey Ermakov, who had died earlier near Khan-Tengri Peak.

Meanwhile, a drone confirmed that Nagovitsina remains alive in a damaged tent at her location. Another attempt to evacuate her is planned for August 20, weather permitting.

Four years ago, Nagovitsina’s husband, climber Sergei Nagovitsyn, became paralyzed during an ascent of Khan-Tengri Peak and later died despite rescue efforts.

She later returned to the site to place a memorial plaque, a story captured in Dmitry Sinitsyn’s documentary Stay with Khan-Tengri.

Original Author: Oksana Matvienko

Video: Telegram channel Mash