Crossword Genius

What doesn't pay an Eastern European (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

crimean

'eastern european' is the definition.

'what doesn't pay an' is the wordplay.
'what doesn't pay' becomes 'crime'.
'crime'+'an'='CRIMEAN'

(Other definitions for crimean that I've seen before include "The Light Brigade charged in this war" , "Ukrainian" , "(War once) in Black Sea peninsula" , "1853-6 War" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app