The political upheaval in Ukraine has placed territorial and social cohesion, as well as the country’s financial and economic viability, at stake. The events in Crimea have recently made clear that this critical destabilising effect primarily emanates from pro-Russian forces or actions by Russia itself. The arguments used by the Kremlin to justify their actions have proven to be incorrect on closer examination. A number of Russian arguments have been met with understanding. The following description therefore serves to debunk the Russian government’s main arguments as myths.