Gleb Savchenko Seeks Emergency Custody in Dispute Over Daughter

Dancing With the Stars pro Gleb Savchenko has filed for emergency custody, claiming his ex-wife, Elena Samodanova, wrongfully kept their daughters in Hong Kong after a temporary move for work.

According to court documents, Savchenko says Samodanova agreed to return to the United States with their children by June 30, 2024, but instead settled in Hong Kong, where she obtained permanent residency, enrolled the girls in school, became engaged, and welcomed another child.

Savchenko is asking for temporary sole legal and physical custody of their 15-year-old daughter, Olivia, who is currently with him in Los Angeles. He claims Olivia wants to stay in California and has accused Samodanova of making hurtful comments to their daughter. His legal team has also filed a separate petition seeking the return of their younger daughter, Zlata, to the U.S.

Samodanova denies the allegations, saying Hong Kong is the children's permanent home and accusing Savchenko of keeping Olivia in California without her consent. She argues that California does not have jurisdiction over the case and says his court filing misrepresents their family's situation.

The former couple is scheduled to attend court-ordered mediation on Aug. 5, with a custody hearing expected later this month.