Peter the Great statue, Vladimir Putin’s gift to Londoners, damaged in attempted robbery

A statue of Peter the Great in Deptford, south London, that Vladimir Putin’s government gifted to the UK has been damaged in an attempted robbery, leaving a diplomatically awkward repair bill of thousands of pounds.

Russian embassy may be asked to pick up bill to repair tribute to Russian president’s hero, gifted during 2003 visit - Guardian reports.

Millennium Quay, the owners of the Thames-side housing estate that surrounds the statue, suggested the Russian embassy could pick up the tab. The embassy has not responded to requests for comment.