Gleb Savchenko'S Custody Drama Explodes: Allegations Of Abduction And Heated Accusations

The Custody Clash: Gleb's Allegations

It seems the dance floor isn't the only place where Dancing With the Stars pro Gleb Savchenko is facing intense moves. Legal documents obtained by TMZ reveal that Gleb has accused his ex-wife, Elena Samodanova, of abducting their daughters. The drama unfolded when Elena allegedly whisked 15-year-old Olivia and 8-year-old Zlata off to China without Gleb's consent, despite their post-divorce arrangements.

According to Gleb, the uprooting violated a Post Judgment Agreement the couple signed in 2023. The agreement permitted a "temporary" relocation to Hong Kong for Elena's work project, with an understanding that the children would return to the U.S. by June 30, 2024. However, Gleb alleges that Elena has no plans of bringing them back, claiming she has settled into a new life there with her fiancé Vladislav Kvartin.

Gleb's Legal Maneuvering

With emotions running high, Gleb is asking for "temporary sole legal and sole physical custody" of Olivia, citing Elena's "abusive comments" as a reason for concern. Olivia is currently in California with Gleb and reportedly prefers to stay, especially after a recent confrontation with Elena. However, there's no mention of similar custody efforts for his younger daughter, Zlata.

“This has functionally forced me to travel to Hong Kong each year to visit my children, which I have consistently done despite Elena’s efforts taken to drastically limit my access to our daughters.”

Gleb's filing also accuses Elena of taking their daughters to Moscow and Vietnam against his wishes, even amidst political tensions, creating a complex web of international custody issues.

Elena Fires Back

Responding to the explosive claims, Elena asserts that it's Gleb who's in breach of their agreement by canceling Olivia's flight back to Hong Kong. She maintains that Hong Kong is now Olivia's permanent residence where she thrives academically and socially, thanks to her elite ballroom dancing opportunities.

Elena has countered Gleb's legal moves by requesting the court to halt any temporary orders, arguing that her ex-husband's actions threaten Olivia's education and future. She’s pushing for a continuance to present Olivia’s permanent records through appropriate channels, insisting that California has no jurisdiction over their daughter.

“His emergency filing is a rushed attempt to bypass proper laws. I am asking the court to halt temporary orders and grant a continuance so my counsel can present Olivia’s permanent records through the correct legal channels.”

What Lies Ahead?

The former couple has been ordered to attend mediation on August 5, with a formal court hearing set for later. As legal sparks continue to fly, the custody battle between Gleb and Elena shows no sign of cooling down soon. Keep an eye on this space for updates on what promises to be a headline-grabbing showdown.