Yeah idk man, I'd need to see some evidence that this was the case and not just wishful thinking on the level of "Their nukes probably don't even work."

Then surely Ukraine can hold its own from these duds, without further funding?

Nothing in the article supports that.

Also, nothing in the article specifies if the production capacity in Russia is from running the same factories longer or adding new factories. The former could increase defective munitions being produced and the later would probably show about the same level of defectives as production at lower rates.

Also, artillery shells and their fuses are two different things. Nothing in the article says anything about the fuse production, it might be assumed in the article and I'm just being pedantic, or it might an intentional oversight. Pretty sure its the fuses that are normally the problem when an artillery shell doesn't explode when its supposed to.

Even assuming Russian shells are lower quality (and you have absolutely zero evidence of that), a shitload of weapons that are lower quality can still beat you.

war-centric economy that's ultimately degrading their society even further

You're talking about the US here right?

Well, with Ukraine being supplied with sufficient, high quality munitions and equipment (and certainly not ancient, mothballed rustbucket tanks), they'll push the RuZZian orcs out any minute now. That's right, any minute now, Steiner will advance and push them back to Moscow!