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Władysław IV Vasa was the half-brother of John II Casimir Vasa, kings of Poland and Sweden. Born from Sigismund III's first marriage, Władysław succeeded to the Polish throne in 1632. He played a pivotal role in European geopolitics during the Thirty Years' War, securing victories against Russia, Sweden, and the Ottomans. Despite military triumphs, his reign also faced challenges, including the Khmelnytsky Uprising and the subsequent Russo-Polish War.