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

Russian embassy asked to pick up bill to repair tribute to Russian president's hero, gifted during 2003 visit

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.

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