Sean Penn is currently filming a documentary in Ukraine while Russia invades the country

• Sean Penn was spotted in Ukraine just after Russia launched an attack early Thursday.
• The actor and director was seen in the front row of a press briefing in Kyiv Thursday.

Sean Penn was spotted in Ukraine on Thursday just after Russia invaded the country.

Penn was seen in the front row of a press briefing at the Presidential Office in Kyiv, photos obtained by Reuters show.

The actor and director has been working on a documentary about tensions in Ukraine since last year and headed to the Eastern European country early this week to get a firsthand look at the Russian invasion, Vice Studios, which is producing the documentary, told Variety.

The Ukrainian government confirmed to Newsweek that Penn is in the country.

"The director specially came to Kyiv to record all the events that are currently happening in Ukraine and to tell the world the truth about Russia's invasion of our country," the Ukrainian government said in a statement to Newsweek.

"Sean Penn is among those who support Ukraine in Ukraine today," the statement said. "Our country is grateful to him for such a show of courage and honesty."

Russia launched airstrikes on Ukraine — targeting major cities — early Thursday morning.

A representative for Penn did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.