Crossword Genius

Russian port's leading backer (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

archangel

'russian port's' is the definition.
(city and port in Archangelsk oblast, Russia)

'leading backer' is the wordplay.
'leading' becomes 'arch' (e.g. in arch-enemy).
'backer' becomes 'angel' ('angel' can be a synonym of 'backer').
'arch'+'angel'='ARCHANGEL'

(Other definitions for archangel that I've seen before include "Russian city" , "Highest ranking member of the celestial hierarchy" , "Among others, Michael" , "Nag Rachel (anag.)" , "Senior heavenly messenger or Russian port" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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