Sean Penn Honoured with Custom 'Iron Oscar' from Ukrainian Railways After Missing 2026 Academy Awards
Sean Penn, the Oscar-winning star of One Battle After Another, made a poignant choice to forgo the 2026 Oscars ceremony, where he secured his third Academy Award, opting instead to visit war-torn Ukraine. In a heartfelt gesture, Ukrainian Railways CEO Oleksandr Pertsovskyi presented Penn with a unique, handmade Oscar statuette crafted from salvaged metal of a railcar destroyed by Russian forces, which Penn described as a "treasure."
A Symbolic Gift from a War-Torn Nation
In a clip shared on social media platform X, Pertsovskyi explained the significance of the custom trophy. "You're missing the Oscars, and plus you gave the last one to the president," he remarked, referencing Penn's earlier gift of an Oscar to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a visit following Russia's 2022 invasion. "So we made this one," Pertsovskyi continued, unveiling the statuette. "This is made from the railcar that was damaged by the Russians. The metal survived, so we put some words here. It's very special for us. It's not golden but it's very real and from the bottom of our hearts."
Penn, embracing Pertsovskyi, expressed his gratitude, underscoring the emotional weight of the gift. The Ukrainian Railways CEO later added in a caption that Penn had chosen the trip to Ukraine over the Dolby Theatre ceremony, prompting them to ensure their "great friend and loyal Ukrainian Railways passenger" did not go without an award.
Penn's Oscar Victory and Absence Explained
At the 2026 Oscars, Penn won Best Supporting Actor for his role as narcissistic Colonel Steven J. Lockjaw in Paul Thomas Anderson's revolutionary epic One Battle After Another. He triumphed over co-star Benicio Del Toro, Delroy Lindo (Sinners), Stellan Skarsgård (Sentimental Value), and Jacob Elordi (Frankenstein), all of whom attended the event. Kieran Culkin, the previous category winner, presented the award, quipping in his signature wry tone, "Sean Penn couldn't be here this evening. Or didn't want to. So I'll be accepting the award on his behalf."
Penn's absence was not entirely unexpected, as he had also missed several precursor awards, including the Baftas, where he similarly won Best Supporting Actor. His decision highlights his longstanding activism and support for Ukraine, having emerged as one of President Zelensky's most prominent allies during the conflict with Russia.
The Broader Context of Penn's Ukrainian Advocacy
Penn has been a vocal and visible supporter of Ukraine since the onset of the war, making multiple visits to the country and using his platform to raise awareness. His gift of an Oscar to Zelensky earlier in the conflict symbolised solidarity, and this latest gesture from Ukrainian Railways reciprocates that sentiment with a tangible memento from the frontline. The "Iron Oscar" serves as a powerful emblem of resilience, crafted from the remnants of destruction to honour Penn's commitment.
This episode underscores the intersection of celebrity activism and global politics, with Penn prioritising humanitarian engagement over Hollywood accolades. As Ukraine continues to face challenges, such acts of solidarity from high-profile figures like Penn resonate deeply, offering both moral support and international attention to the ongoing struggle.
