Ruffians getting the Yanks out of breath? (5)

I believe the answer is:

thugs

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'ruffians' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'the yanks out of breath?' is the wordplay.
'the yanks' becomes 'tugs' (I've seen this before).
'out' indicates putting letters inside.
'of breath?' becomes 'h' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'tugs' going around 'h' is 'THUGS'.

'getting' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for thugs that I've seen is " Ruffians".)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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