The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word SOVIET
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
S
O
V
I
E
T
More clues leading to the result SOVIET
- Compete to block drunkard in Russian council
- Socialist struggle inspired by boozer
- Red squirrels often viewed in England’s tree tops
- Then compete and start to turn red
- Cold war rival’s provided what was missing in Nam?
- Old red drunkard admitting struggle
- Council drunk has internal struggle
- Russian alcoholic’s struggle to find occupation
- Veto is exercised in council
- Veto is coming from old Russian council
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "red" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case red = soviet.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does SOVIET mean?
SOVIET adjective- (history) Pertaining to the Soviet Union or its constituent republics.
- Supporting or representing the Soviet Union or Sovietism; Sovietist.
- A workers' council, an institution first formed during the 1905 Russian Revolution and then instituted as the main form of communist government at all levels in the Soviet Union; by extension, a similar organization in early Chinese communism and elsewhere.
- Pertaining to or resembling a soviet (council).