Crossword Genius

Shocks Ian into leaving strange Russian spire (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

surprises

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

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

'ian into leaving strange russian spire' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
an anagram of 'spire' is 'prise' which is within the answer.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for surprises that I've seen before include "Takes unawares" , "bowls over" , "Sudden, unexpected events" , "Shocks" , "unexpected things of life" .)

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