Savchenko's Child Custody Claim.
DWTS Pro Gleb Savchenko claims ex-wife illegally moved children to Hong Kong, seeks custody.
Anonymous
Dancing with the Stars pro Gleb Savchenko has filed for an emergency custody order against his ex-wife, Elena Samodanova, claiming she illegally moved their two daughters to Hong Kong and refused to bring them back. WUTV29 reported that Savchenko says the children — Olivia, 15, and Zlata — were supposed to return to the United States by June 30, 2024, but that deadline passed without them coming home.
Savchenko is now asking a court to grant him temporary sole legal and physical custody of Olivia while the case plays out. A judge has ordered both parents to attend child custody mediation on August 5, with a formal court hearing to follow.
Savchenko Says Daughters Stuck in Hong Kong Since 2023
According to News3LV, Savchenko claims Samodanova moved the girls to Hong Kong in 2023 without his full permission. The two had reportedly agreed the children would return to the US by mid-2024. That never happened. Savchenko alleges his ex-wife has kept them abroad ever since, cutting him off from his daughters.
The move raises serious legal questions. Taking a child across international borders against a custody agreement can be considered parental abduction. Savchenko's emergency filing signals he believes the situation has reached a critical point that cannot wait for a routine court date.
Emergency Filing Targets Custody of 15-Year-Old Olivia
Savchenko's emergency request focuses specifically on his older daughter, Olivia, who is 15. He is asking for "temporary sole legal and sole physical custody" of her pending further court decisions, according to KMPH. The filing does not appear to seek the same immediate relief for younger daughter Zlata, though both girls remain at the center of the broader dispute.
Emergency custody orders are granted when a judge believes a child may be at risk or when one parent has violated an existing custody arrangement. By filing on an emergency basis, Savchenko is asking the court to act quickly rather than wait months for a scheduled hearing.
Savchenko and Samodanova's Bitter Split Since 2020
Gleb Savchenko and Elena Samodanova announced their separation in November 2020 after 14 years of marriage. The split was public and messy. Samodanova accused Savchenko of repeated infidelity. He denied the claims. The couple had built their lives around the dance world, with both working as professional dancers.
The custody battle over Olivia and Zlata has continued since the divorce. The current legal clash shows the conflict is far from settled. With mediation set for August 5, both parents will be required to meet before the case goes back before a judge.
Mediation Ordered Before Formal Hearing Can Proceed
A court has ordered Savchenko and Samodanova to attend child custody mediation on August 5, according to News3LV. Mediation is a process where a neutral third party helps both sides reach an agreement without a full trial. If mediation fails, the case moves to a formal court hearing where a judge will decide.
The outcome could have major consequences for both girls. If the court sides with Savchenko, Samodanova could be ordered to return the children to the US. International custody cases are often complex, especially when one country is not part of the Hague Convention on parental abduction — though Hong Kong generally is covered under related agreements.
Sentiment
NeutralNEGATIVENEUTRALPOSITIVE
Publishers
23
Articles
89
Reach
112
Topics
A
AnonymousAuthor