Russian city known in romantic old verse, originally (5)

I believe the answer is:

kirov

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

'known in romantic old verse originally' is the wordplay.
'originally' indicates taking the first letters.
The first letters of 'known in romantic old verse' is 'KIROV'.

(Other definitions for kirov that I've seen before include "Soviet ballet" , "Famous ballet" , "Russian dancers" , "St Petersburg ballet company, founded c. 1740" , "Stalin's aide" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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