Animosity surrounds source of Russian icon (6)

I believe the answer is:

sprite

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'icon' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't see how they can define each other.

'animosity surrounds source of russian' is the wordplay.
'animosity' becomes 'spite' (I've seen this before).
'surrounds' indicates putting letters inside.
'source of' says to take the initial letters (the start - or source - of the word).
The first letter of 'russian' is 'r'.
'spite' enclosing 'r' is 'SPRITE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for sprite that I've seen before include "Elf, fairy" , "A fairy or goblin" , "Naiad" , "Impish type" , "Nimble elf-like creature - icon in computer game" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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