Gleb Savchenko denies Elena Samodanova’s hidden‑kid claim

Gleb Savchenko, 42, dancer on *Dancing With the Stars*, fired back at his ex‑wife Elena Samodanova after she accused him of hiding their daughter. Samodanova, 41, filed an emergency court order on Tuesday, August 11 seeking sole legal and physical custody of their daughters Olivia, 15, and Zlata, 8.

The filing also demanded Olivia be returned to her care and alleged Savchenko had no idea where the child was located. These claims have just sparked a heated custody dispute between the former couple.

Savchenko’s lawyer Mark Karney told us that “The claims are outright untruths.” He said the allegations were fabricated and that his client had no intention of denying Olivia access to her mother. Earlier in July, Gleb Savchenko filed a petition for sole custody of Olivia, aiming to enroll her in a Los Angeles high school.

The move came after a July agreement that left the couple divided over their daughter’s schooling and living arrangements. Samodanova maintains that Olivia has been thriving since their 2024 relocation to Hong Kong, where she now lives with her partner Vlad Kvartin and their daughter Victoria, born December 2025.

The August filing indicates a sharp escalation in the dispute, as each parent seeks exclusive control over the girls.

## Background & Context

In July, Gleb Savchenko filed a petition for sole custody of Olivia, aiming to enroll her in a Los Angeles high school. The move came after a July agreement that left the couple divided over their daughter’s schooling and living arrangements.

Samodanova maintains that Olivia has been thriving since their 2024 relocation to Hong Kong, where she now lives with her partner Vlad Kvartin and their daughter Victoria, born December 2025. The August filing indicates a sharp escalation in the dispute, as each parent seeks exclusive control over the girls.

, “Elena knows where Olivia and Gleb are, and any claims otherwise, are false.” The document also asserts that Olivia “wants nothing more than to live in California with her father and attend school here.” Savchenko’s attorney argues that these statements reflect the daughter’s desire, not a hidden agenda.

Samodanova’s petition claims that Olivia’s mother has interfered with her academic prospects in California, prompting the girl to limit contact. The filing also notes that Olivia has changed her phone number and does not wish to communicate with her mother more than three times , contrary to the mother’s requests.

## What People Are Saying

Savchenko’s lawyer Mark Karney told us that “The claims are outright untruths.” He said the allegations were fabricated and that his client had no intention of denying Olivia access to her mother.

, “Elena knows where Olivia and Gleb are, and any claims otherwise, are false.” The document also notes that Olivia has spoken to her mother, who, oftentimes, insults and threatens her. Thus, Olivia has made a reasoned decision to limit such communications after her mother interfered in her academic prospects in California.

The filing further states that “Elena knows where I live and where Olivia is located.” It also claims that Olivia “wants nothing more than to live in California with her father and attend school here.” Additionally, the document says that Olivia has no desire to communicate with her mother “no less than 3 times .

## What Happens Next

Samodanova has not yet commented on the allegations, leaving the court case to proceed. The next steps in the litigation are unclear, but the emergency order will likely be reviewed in an upcoming hearing.

Savchenko maintains he is not seeking to remove Olivia from his care, but he argues that her mother’s conduct has caused discord. He hopes the court will deny Samodanova’s petition and allow Olivia to continue living in California.

Until the court renders a decision, the dispute continues to simmer, with both parties asserting their rights over their daughters. The case underscores how custody battles can quickly become public affairs when high‑profile figures are involved.