Gleb Savchenko and Elena Samodanova: Custody Battle Over Daughters

Dancing with the Stars pro Gleb Savchenko and his ex-wife Elena Samodanova are embroiled in a heated custody dispute. Elena publicly refuted claims from Gleb's lawyers that she abducted their daughters and moved them to China, insisting that Hong Kong is the girls' permanent home. She also accuses Gleb of wrongfully keeping their eldest daughter in California by canceling her return flight.

In a statement to the press, Elena emphasized that she is Olivia's primary caregiver and has raised her daily while Gleb works full-time on DWTS. She said Olivia is thriving in Hong Kong, attending a top school and excelling as an elite ballroom dancer. Elena argues that Gleb's actions directly jeopardize Olivia's future, education, and athletic progress.

Samodanova insists that California lacks jurisdiction over their daughter, as Hong Kong is Olivia's permanent home and legal residency. She also noted the irony that Gleb himself holds a Permanent Resident card there. According to her, Olivia was scheduled to return to Hong Kong on June 5th, but her father wrongfully canceled her ticket without permission, calling it a wrongful international retention.

Elena also criticized Gleb's emergency court filing as a rushed attempt to bypass proper laws. She is asking the court to halt temporary orders and grant a continuance so her counsel can present Olivia's permanent records through the correct legal channels.

Previously, Gleb Savchenko filed for an emergency custody order, claiming Elena has kept both daughters — Olivia and Zlata — in Hong Kong since 2023, even though the move was only supposed to last one year and they were due back in the U.S. by June 30, 2024. Gleb is currently seeking temporary sole custody of 15-year-old Olivia, who is with him in California.

According to the dancer, Olivia wants to remain in Los Angeles, and he fears sending her back would result in her being wrongfully retained overseas — the same accusation Elena now levels against him. Notably, Gleb is not specifically requesting custody of their youngest, 8-year-old Zlata, at this time.

The exes have been ordered to attend custody mediation on August 5, with a formal court hearing scheduled later that month. This conflict has drawn attention from fans and raises questions about international custody disputes, which often prove complex and lengthy.