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Heartless Russian left abandoned on an island (7)

A block of buildings Romans started are standing alone (7)

Block of buildings = insula.

Queen returns eating plums, ignoring Prime Minister who is aloof (7)

Rani + (p)lu(m)s

See! Wearing skimpy cover means being cold (7)

A few clarifications, please?
ginge @13: I'm assuming INSULT TAR minus TT. If that's right, how does "within the confines" work?
fiery @26: It seems that UR might figure, but I'm not getting it (perhaps because I should be asleep).
mattrom @34: Please parse (prepared to be embarrassed).

Hi Aristo, re #34,
See! = la (def.2 in Chambers) inside INSUR(e), cover, skimpy.
Def = 'being cold' in the sense of aloof.

#22 needs an "r"

Reclusive writer left Cape Cod last winter (7)

Hi aristo, unless my command of the English language is different to yours over there other than spelling :)
"within the confines of dry dock" refers to what's gone before as you note (insult tar) so dock dry (TT) from within the confines of (insult tar).
Perhaps it doesn't work for you (and by all means that's your prerogative as host) but I (for obvious reasons) can't see a problem with the mechanics. Whether you like it or not is a different matter but you are tired ! ... :)

Hi Aristo
Home - in
Homes. - INS
around LA an ancient. UR

Thanks, mattrom, ginge, and fiery.
ginge: No quibble at all, just a bit of brain-freeze. My English isn't so different to yours, although we Yanks never say "different to". :)