unless there was some bugs, in my experience, it's enough if you don't ram it 1 meter away from t34. I've attempted circle strafes fairly close and the turret managed to keep up and land 1-2 shots. + KT will be accompanied with shreck volks and raketen, so t34 won't be circle strafing very long.
And also, no, it is fast enough to get out of trouble , be it atguns arc of fire or an arty strike. And don't forget spearhead or whatever it's called.
Sure if it's caught alone with its pants down it is unlikely to escape, but that goes for any tank.
I've noticed the same thing while circle strafing the KT. The turret keeps up with the T34. Which makes the slow turret point moot, because no Soviet tank can flank it without probably dying in the process.