Crossword Genius

Males taking exercise bringing about change in Russia (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

copecks

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'about change in russia' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'males taking exercise' is the wordplay.
'males' becomes 'cocks' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'taking' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'exercise' becomes 'pe' (Physical Education).
'cocks' enclosing 'pe' is 'COPECKS'.

'bringing' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for copecks that I've seen before include "cash" , "Foreign coins" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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