‘DWTS’ Pro Gleb Savchenko Drops Another Disturbing Claim In Already Ugly Custody Battle

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Gleb Savchenko has made another shocking allegation against his ex-wife, Elena Samodanova.

The “Dancing with the Stars” pro claims Samodanova gave their 15-year-old daughter, Olivia, weight-loss medication without informing him. She reportedly did not obtain an appropriate medical consultation.

Gleb Savchenko and Elena Samodanova were married for 14 years and share two daughters, 15-year-old Olivia and 9-year-old Zlata. They reportedly disagreed over the children’s relocation to Hong Kong, and which parent should have custody.

Gleb Savchenko Wants The Court To Address Alleged Treatment Of His Daughter

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Savchenko reportedly says Olivia told him that her mother made nasty comments about her body, weight, and appearance. He also alleges that Samodanova gave the teenager weight-loss medication without consulting him or getting appropriate medical supervision.

The dancer claims his daughter also experienced long periods of silent treatment. He alleges that her bedroom door was removed as punishment, raising concerns about her emotional well-being.

Savchenko is asking a judge to intervene over what he describes as harmful treatment of Olivia. He wants the court to prohibit both parents from subjecting their children to actions that could harm their physical or emotional health. 

According to TMZ, he wants to ensure his parenting time with Olivia and Zlata is not reduced or interfered with. His daughters currently live with his ex-wife in Hong Kong.

The dancer once accused his ex-wife and her fiancé of sending improper messages about him to Olivia. The messages reportedly included sexually explicit comments. Samodanova denied the allegations. 

The ‘DWTS’ Pro Previously Accused His Ex Of Abducting Their Daughters 

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The custody dispute between the former couple became worse after the girls moved to Hong Kong in 2023. In a July 15, 2026, report, The Blast detailed Savchenko’s emergency custody request. He claimed that the relocation was supposed to be temporary.

The Russian dancer also claimed he agreed to the move because Samodanova said it was necessary for her work. He alleged that she “obtained permanent Hong Kong residency, enrolled the children in an expensive private school, got the children a cat, became engaged, and had another child with her fiancé.”

He argued that the situation was unfavorable to him. He said it left him traveling to Hong Kong every year to see his daughters. In his filing, he requested “temporary sole legal and sole physical custody” of Olivia. He also asked that Samodanova receive no visitation, claiming her alleged behavior had harmed their eldest daughter.

• Gleb Savchenko previously escalated the custody battle with screenshots he said supported his case.
• Elena Samodanova flipped Savchenko’s abduction allegations back on him during their legal fight.
• Savchenko’s girlfriend Kaitlin Trujillo was later pulled into the increasingly complicated custody dispute.
• Away from the family battle, Savchenko made intimate claims about his former romance with Brooks Nader.
• Savchenko also opened up about the intense mental and physical toll of “Dancing with the Stars.”

Gleb Savchenko And Elena Samodanova’s Bad Blood Has Flowed For Years

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Savchenko and Samodanova reportedly married in 2006 and welcomed Olivia in 2010 and Zlata in 2017. The professional dancer announced their separation in 2020, after 14 years of marriage. 

Samodanova reportedly filed for divorce and accused him of repeated infidelity. It included an alleged “inappropriate relationship” with his former “Dancing with the Stars” partner, Chrishell Stause.

The TV personality denied having a romantic relationship with Stause. He described their connection as platonic. He also said the marriage had experienced problems long before their separation became public.

Their custody arrangement continued to change after the divorce. The court reportedly granted them a 50/50 custody arrangement in 2021. Samodanova later wanted primary physical custody.

She said that Savchenko’s demanding work schedule and frequent travel made the arrangement difficult to maintain. She also alleged that he struggled with the children’s schoolwork and daily routines.

Savchenko Suffered A Setback After A Court Hearing

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The former lovers’ custody dispute took another turn after a September 15 hearing in Los Angeles. Savchenko argued that returning Olivia to Hong Kong would expose her to a risk of physical and psychological harm.

He also alleged that Olivia experienced severe depression and anxiety and had turned to alcohol and drugs as coping mechanisms. These were allegations reportedly made in the legal dispute, not findings established by the court.

Samodanova gave a different account, accusing Savchenko of wrongfully retaining Olivia in California. She alleged that he tried to enroll their daughter in a Los Angeles school without her approval.

She said he pressured Olivia to make statements against her. She also revealed that he told Olivia, “she could go out any time, but he would not spend money on her, including for a flight home.”

The court determined that Olivia’s habitual residence was Hong Kong. It became a big blow to Savchenko’s effort to keep her in Los Angeles through an emergency order. Olivia eventually returned to Hong Kong with her mother. The former couple was reportedly directed to participate in mediation, as shared by The Blast.

Gleb Savchenko’s Girlfriend Was Pulled Into The Dispute

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The conflict has extended to Savchenko’s current relationship. Samodanova shared her concerns about Olivia’s living arrangements while staying in Los Angeles.

She alleged that Savchenko disclosed Olivia’s location only after a court ordered him to provide the address. She claimed the teenager was living in a property connected to his girlfriend, Trujillo. In August, The Blast noted her concerns after learning that the property’s owner worked in the adult-entertainment industry. 

Savchenko rejected the concerns and insisted that his daughter was safe and supported. He also argued that Olivia, who turns 16 in November, should have a say in where she lives.

The dancer said he intended to address the matter through the courts rather than continue arguing publicly. He also showed disappointment that his girlfriend had been drawn into the dispute.

Gleb Savchenko’s custody battle with his ex-wife is yet to be resolved.