Kovel (Ukrainian and Russian: Ковель, translit. Kovel’, Polish: Kowel, Hebrew: כהואל) is a city located in the Volyn Oblast (province), in northwestern Ukraine. Serving as the administrative center of the Kovelskyi Raion (district), the city itself is also designated as a separate raion within the oblast. The current estimated population (as of 2009) is around 65,777.Kovel gives its name to one of the oldest Runic inscriptions which were lost during World War II. The Kovel spearhead, unearthed near the town in 1858, contained text in Gothic language (illustration).