Russian fighter speeds and travels thus (8)

I believe the answer is:

migrates

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'travels thus' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with motion as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'russian fighter speeds' is the wordplay.
'russian fighter' becomes 'MiG' (Russian fighter plane manufacturer).
'speeds' becomes 'rates' (rate is the speed at which something happens).
'mig'+'rates'='MIGRATES'

'and' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

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

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