Former couple Elena Samodanova and Gleb Savchenko are making headlines for accusing each other of international abduction of their daughter.
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Add BollywoodShaadis on GoogleAfter Gleb Savchenko and Elena Samodanova's highly publicised split, the exes have found themselves back in a messy custody battle. It started when Gleb filed an emergency request, accusing Elena of wrongfully retaining custody of their daughter overseas. He claims she violated a temporary relocation agreement, whereas she claims that Hong Kong is their daughter's permanent home. Amid the conflict, let us know more about Elena, her career, relationships with Gleb and the custody dispute.
Elena Samodanova is a popular Russian professional ballroom dancer, choreographer and TV personality. She was born and raised in Moscow. Since Elena grew up in a family of dancers, she soon developed a knack for the same. Eventually, she established herself as an accomplished competitive Latin dancer. In fact, Elena represented Australia at International championships, becoming one of the world's top dancers.
Over time, Elena expanded her career outside dancing competitions. She appeared on the international editions of Dancing with the Stars. Especially, the Australian and Russian versions. In fact, she was the judge in the latter. Some of her projects also included productions like Strictly Come Dancing and Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa. Overall, she teaches dance and mentors young competitors from different countries.
Elena Samodanova married her fellow dancing partner, Gleb Savchenko, in July 2006. They had first met at a training camp in Moscow. Eventually, during their 14 years of marriage, they became one of the most famous dancing couples.
They competed on TV dancing shows and even opened a Dance studio in LA, California. Gleb and Elena also welcomed two daughters, Olivia and Zlata. However, soon things changed when the duo announced their separation.
Elena accused Gleb of repeated infidelity. In turn, he denied cheating and claimed that their marriage had become emotionally unhealthy. Later, their divorce was finalised in 2021. Initially, they agreed to share the legal and physical custody of their daughters.
However, Elena moved to Hong Kong after 2 years, where she continued her dance career. She also took their daughters, and she is now engaged to fellow dancer Vlad Kvartin. The couple even welcomed a daughter, Victoria, in late 2025.
Gleb Savchenko and Elena Samodanova are now involved in a fresh legal battle after the former filed an emergency custody request in California. According to the court documents, he claims that Elena was allowed to move to Hong Kong with their daughters in 2023 for a temporary work project.
At the same time, the duo agreed to return to the United States by June 30, 2024. But Gleb alleges that the girls were never returned and claims that Elena instead made a permanent life in Hong Kong. He claims that she gained residency and enrolled the kids in school before expanding her family.
In turn, Gleb had requested the temporary sole legal and physical custody of their elder daughter, Olivia. He argues that she wishes to remain in Los Angeles and expressed concern that sending her back would mean a "wrongful international retention."
Meanwhile, Elena has firmly rejected those allegations. Instead, her statement mentioned that Hong Kong is Olivia's permanent home and argued that California courts do not have jurisdiction over the matter. She also accused Gleb of hampering their daughter's education by cancelling her return ticket.
Elena also called the emergency filing an attempt to bypass the proper legal process. Next, the duo is expected to attend a meditation before a formal court hearing later in 2026.
What do you think about Gleb Savchenko and Elena Samodanova's custody battle?
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