diff --git a/atvm/docs/automation/run-learnings.md b/atvm/docs/automation/run-learnings.md
index b9d5a90..5cfcc90 100644
--- a/atvm/docs/automation/run-learnings.md
+++ b/atvm/docs/automation/run-learnings.md
@@ -658,3 +658,10 @@ This file stores run-specific examples only when a run produced a new learning r
   - When parsing parent `Cloud Run Finished` tables, treat standalone wrapped `s` rows as duration-cell continuations and remove those rows instead of appending `s` to the end of the host line.
   - Rely on the existing duration parser to accept wrapped values without the trailing `s`.
   - Replay the exact launch log through the current watcher code after this fix before trusting a corrected host count.
+
+## Run Learning: 2026-05-07 (Synthesize failed host row when hang-kill occurs before reporter artifacts)
+- Observed failure mode:
+  - Some hang-killed runs exit before host-level reporter artifacts are emitted, which can leave Mattermost statuses with `FAILED` summary but no host rows.
+- Action for future runs:
+  - When a run is marked `FAILED` from hang-kill markers or non-zero runner exit and no host results are available, synthesize one failed host row from current host/spec inference.
+  - Use a clear failure detail such as `hang timeout killed runner` so operator-facing status always includes a concrete host failure line.
diff --git a/atvm/inventory/vm-inventory.md b/atvm/inventory/vm-inventory.md
index 2181376..e7c4518 100644
--- a/atvm/inventory/vm-inventory.md
+++ b/atvm/inventory/vm-inventory.md
@@ -162,6 +162,7 @@ For current membership on `AutomatedTest-VMBootImg-Gold` and `AutomatedTest-VMBo
 | Ubuntu 20.04 | atvm4-ubuntu20.04 | 5.4.0-144-generic |  |
 | Ubuntu 22.04 | atvm5-ubuntu22.04 | 5.15.0-25-generic |  |
 | Ubuntu 24.04 | atvm121-ubuntu24.04 | 6.8.0-31-generic |  |
+| Ubuntu 26.04 | atvm166-ubuntu26.04 | 7.0.0-15-generic |  |
 | Windows Server 2008R2 | atvm108-w2k8r2 | 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 Build 7601 |  |
 | Windows Server 2012 | atvm109-w2k12R2 | 6.3.9600 Build 9600 |  |
 | Windows Server 2016 | atvm110-w2k16 | 10.0.14393 Build 14393 |  |
diff --git a/atvm/watcher-service/atvm_run_watcher.py b/atvm/watcher-service/atvm_run_watcher.py
index 8ab4b69..4d88137 100644
--- a/atvm/watcher-service/atvm_run_watcher.py
+++ b/atvm/watcher-service/atvm_run_watcher.py
@@ -1212,6 +1212,30 @@ def infer_host_from_subrun_build(
     return remaining_hosts[0] if remaining_hosts else None
 
 
+def synthesize_failed_host_result(
+    build_name: str,
+    log_text: str,
+    inventory: Dict[str, str],
+    reason: str,
+) -> Dict[str, HostResult]:
+    expected_hosts = extract_expected_hosts(log_text)
+    host = find_current_running_host(log_text, [])
+    if not host and expected_hosts:
+        host = expected_hosts[0]
+    if not host:
+        host = build_name
+    return {
+        host: HostResult(
+            host=host,
+            kernel=inventory.get(host, "unknown"),
+            status="FAIL",
+            detail=reason,
+            tests=1,
+            failures=1,
+        )
+    }
+
+
 def infer_metadata(build_name: str, log_text: str) -> Dict[str, object]:
     try:
         extra_options = json.loads(os.environ.get("ATVM_WATCHER_EXTRA_OPTIONS", "[]"))
@@ -2131,6 +2155,15 @@ def determine_state(
         return "RUNNING", subrun_states, parent_host_results, start_ts, end_ts, currents_url, notes
 
     if hang_kill_detected:
+        if not parent_host_results:
+            parent_host_results = synthesize_failed_host_result(
+                build_name=build_name,
+                log_text=log_text,
+                inventory=inventory,
+                reason="hang timeout killed runner",
+            )
+            if subrun_states:
+                subrun_states[-1]["host_results"] = dict(parent_host_results)
         notes.append("Runner hang monitor terminated the run (`SIGKILL`) after inactivity.")
         notes.append("Treating this as explicit failure.")
         return "FAILED", subrun_states, parent_host_results, start_ts, end_ts, currents_url, notes
@@ -2146,6 +2179,15 @@ def determine_state(
 
     if process_gone_since and (now_utc() - process_gone_since).total_seconds() >= process_exit_grace_seconds:
         if runner_result == "exit-code" or (runner_exit_code is not None and runner_exit_code != 0):
+            if not parent_host_results:
+                parent_host_results = synthesize_failed_host_result(
+                    build_name=build_name,
+                    log_text=log_text,
+                    inventory=inventory,
+                    reason="runner exited non-zero before host results were emitted",
+                )
+                if subrun_states:
+                    subrun_states[-1]["host_results"] = dict(parent_host_results)
             detail = f"Runner service ended with non-zero exit ({runner_exit_code})"
             if runner_active_state:
                 detail += f"; state={runner_active_state}"