Part of Russia is a ruefully backwards Orwellian state (7)
I believe the answer is:
eurasia
'orwellian state' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.
'part of russia is a ruefully backwards' is the wordplay.
'part of' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'backwards' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'aisarue' is hidden in the letters of 'russia is a ruefully'.
'aisarue' written backwards gives 'EURASIA'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for eurasia that I've seen before include "Large expanse of land" , "Supercontinent" , "large part of world" , "Landmass extending from Cape Roca in the west to Cape Dezhnev in the east" , "Large northern hemisphere land mass" .)