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Sean Penn Receives "Iron Oscar" in Ukraine
19 Mar
Summary
- Sean Penn received a custom 'Iron Oscar' made from salvaged railcar metal.
- The award was presented by Ukrainian Railways CEO Oleksandr Pertsovskyi.
- Penn chose to visit Ukraine instead of attending the Academy Awards ceremony.
Actor Sean Penn recently received a special tribute in Ukraine, choosing to visit the country over attending the Academy Awards ceremony on March 19, 2026. During his visit, Ukrainian Railways CEO Oleksandr Pertsovskyi presented Penn with a handmade 'Iron Oscar.' This unique award was constructed from metal salvaged from a railcar that had been damaged by Russian forces. Pertsovskyi highlighted that while the trophy isn't golden, it is very real and comes from the heart of the Ukrainian people. Penn expressed his appreciation, referring to the award as a treasure.
Penn's absence from the Oscars was not entirely unexpected, as he had previously missed other award ceremonies, including the Baftas. He was recognized at the recent Academy Awards for his performance in 'One Battle After Another,' marking his third Oscar win. He is known for his strong support of Ukraine and his close relationship with President Volodymyr Zelensky, particularly since the 2022 Russian invasion. Penn had previously gifted one of his Oscar trophies to President Zelensky during an earlier visit.
