Kosmos-954 didn't poison hundreds of miles, square or otherwise. They could only find a dozen of radioactive bits, each only dangerous within a very small area

Kosmos-954 didn't poison hundreds of miles, square or otherwise. They could only find a dozen of radioactive bits, each only dangerous within a very small area around it, and not really leaching anything due to its ceramic nature. Most of the fuel dispersed and became harmless by dilution, probably never even reached the surface.