After questions swirled aboutSean Penn's Oscar no-show, his absence is starting to make more sense.
The 65-year-old actor, nominated during theMarch 15 Academy Awardsfor his performance in"One Battle After Another,"was not in the theater to accepthis trophyafter nabbing the coveted best supporting actor honor.
Penn, instead, chose to visit Ukraine, where the actor was photographed walking the streets of the country's capital Kyiv, on Monday, March 16, according to photos by AFP and distributed by Getty Images. Penn was there to show support to the war-torn nation, a senior Ukrainian official told AFP.
Penn's win duringSunday's Oscarsmade him a three-time Academy Award winner.
Kieran Culkin, who presented the category, joked after the announcement, "Sean Penn couldn't be here, or didn't want to, so I accept the award on his behalf."
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While he was not in attendance, his "One Battle" costarsLeonardo DiCaprioandTeyana Taylorwere present for a night that proved very successful for the Paul Thomas Anderson-directed movie. It took home the night's top honor, best picture, and Anderson won for best director.
Host Conan O'Brien welcomes viewers and audience members to the Oscars show at the 98th Academy Awards in Los Angeles, March 15, 2026." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Zoe Saldaña gives actress Amy Madigan the Oscar for best actress in a supporting role for Madigan's work in "Weapons."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Amy Madigan accepts the Oscar for best actress in a supporting role during the 98th Annual Academy Awards." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Conan O'Brien performs at the start of the 98th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Host Conan O'Brien onstage at the start of the Oscars show at the 98th Academy Awards." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Emma Stone and Demi Moore share a moment before the Oscars show at the 98th Academy Awards." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Host Conan O'Brien onstage at the start of the Oscars show." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Actress Teyana Taylor, nominated for best supporting actress, and Lynette Howell Taylor, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, before the Oscars show." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner attend the 98th Annual Academy Awards." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner talking with Elle Fanning at the 2026 Oscars." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
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Host Conan O'Brien welcomes viewers and audience members to the Oscars show at the 98th Academy Awards in Los Angeles, March 15, 2026.
Penn has long advocated for Ukraine and even giftedUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyyan Oscar in 2022, shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine, and the two countries went to war.
The Hollywood Reporter recently reportedthat a new examination of photos shows the golden statuePenngifted Zelenskyy was the one won for "Mystic River," a 2003 crime drama in which he played ex-con Jimmy Marcum.
Penn has released a documentary, "Superpower," that follows his seven trips to Ukraine both before and after Russia's invasion. He is therecipient of Ukraine's Order of Merit in the third degree for his "sincere supportand significant contribution to the popularization of Ukraine in the world."
Contributing: Sama Shafiq, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Sean Penn pictured in Ukraine after missing Oscars wins
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