Gleb Savchenko international custody dispute

Professional dancer Gleb Savchenko and his ex-wife, Elena Samodanova, are engaged in an international legal dispute regarding the custody and residency of their daughters. In July 2026, Savchenko filed an emergency petition in California seeking sole temporary custody of his 15-year-old daughter, Olivia. He alleged that Samodanova effectively abducted the children by refusing to return them to the United States after a planned stay in Hong Kong.

Samodanova contested these claims, arguing that Hong Kong is the children’s permanent residence and that California courts lack jurisdiction. She further accused Savchenko of an “illegal international retention” by canceling Olivia’s return flight.

By August 2026, the conflict escalated as Samodanova requested assistance from authorities to locate Savchenko and Olivia in Los Angeles, claiming she could no longer reach her daughter. Savchenko denied allegations that he was hiding his daughter, stating that Olivia is safe and maintains contact with her mother via social media. He asserted that the teenager wishes to remain in Los Angeles for school, while the legal battle continues to focus on the children's domicile.