American actor Sean Penn skipped the Oscars to be in Ukraine, where he received a symbolic award. The unique statue was given as a thank-you for his support of the country during the war.
American actor Sean Penn decided to skip this year's Academy Awards and opted for a private visit to Ukraine, where he received an unconventional award, the so-called “Ukrainian Oscar”.
This symbolic item was crafted from metal taken from a destroyed railway car damaged during a Russian attack, as reported by TARS.
The award was given to the actor by the Ukrainian railway company Ukrzaliznytsia in gratitude for his ongoing support for Ukraine and its people. Penn accepted the award in person and called it a “treasure”.
Penn is among the well-known figures actively supporting Ukraine since the beginning of the war. Back in 2022, he donated one of his Oscars to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a symbol of solidarity, saying it will remain in the country until its victory.
Penn frequently returns to Ukraine and even contributed to a 2023 documentary about Zelensky, chronicling his transformation from comedian to war leader following the Russian invasion. Their collaboration has blossomed into a personal friendship.
Even though he was supposed to pick up another Academy Award that night in Los Angeles for Best Supporting Actor in the film One Battle After Another, he chose to stay in Ukraine. Through this gesture, he once again emphasized his support for the country facing Russian aggression.
