Gleb Savchenko's Custody War: Ex-Wife Hits Back

Gleb Savchenko and his ex-wife, Elena Samodanova, are currently engaged in a legal battle over their children following their publicized 2021 divorce. Savchenko recently requested emergency custody, alleging Samodanova took their daughters, Zlata and Olivia, to Hong Kong without his permission. He claims she has established a new life there with her fiancé and their children, forcing him to travel annually for visits.

Samodanova has denied Savchenko's allegations, stating the move to Hong Kong was mutually agreed upon. She further revealed that Savchenko has not provided child support for the past ten months, necessitating her seeking assistance from enforcement authorities. The former couple, who were prominent dancing partners, married in 2006 and share two daughters, Olivia and Zlata.

Their marriage, which lasted 14 years, ended with allegations of infidelity from both sides. After their divorce was finalized in 2021, they initially agreed to share custody. However, Samodanova later relocated to Hong Kong with their daughters, where she has since become engaged to fellow dancer Vlad Kvartin, with whom she welcomed a daughter in late 2025.