>>64163277
Fallout-producing ground strikes will only really target military installations such as missile silos or reinforced underground facilities. Strategic infrastructure (major airports; railyards; ports & harbors; military manfacturing complexes) will be destroyed by airburst nukes which as you've said produce little fallout. Ironically you will have a higher chance of surviving fallout from a nuclear exchange in an east coast suburb rather than the midwest because that's where most attacks will be concentrated and will kick up huge clouds of inescapable radioactive dust.

Russian nuke doctrine is to defang American retaliatory capabilities first and foremost. Civilian population centers will not be targeted unless aforementioned strategic infrastructure is located there. In a limited nuclear exchange, most targets will be rural missile silos and bases and submarine bases. In an all out exchange you will see civilian infrastructure deliberately targeted if it can be used militarily.

The best way to survive a nuclear exchange is to simply bug out. If you live near a major commercial airport or military base, drive as far north-west as possible to escape the likely fallout area. Prepare a bugout kit and focus on tools required for building an expedient fallout shelter.