Crossword Genius

Not all Soviet heads kindle heart of Russia in spite (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

nastiness

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'spite' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'not all soviet heads kindle heart of russia' is the wordplay.
'heads' suggests taking the first letters.
'kindle' becomes 'tine' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'heart of' indicates the central letters.
The middle of 'russia' is 'ss'.
The first letters of 'not all soviet' is 'nas'.
'nas'+'tine'+'ss'='NASTINESS'

'in' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for nastiness that I've seen before include "Malevolence" , "repugnance" , "ill humour" , "hostility" , "Repugnant behaviour" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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