The 12.7mm OSV-96 sniper rifle is designed to destroy manpower, wearing means of individual protection, unarmored vehicles, radars, missile and artillery systems, and aircraft on the ground, as well as monitor borders, defend coastlines against small vessels, and destroy sea mines.

The rifle is capable of destroying manpower and vehicles at a range of up to 1,200 m and 1,800 m respectively. The OSV-96 allows the sniper to stay beyond the effective range of fire of conventional caliber small arms. The rifle fires the 12.7х107mm sniper cartridges. A 12.7mm cartridge features a several fold smaller windage than a 7.62mm cartridge. The rifle can also fire heavy machine gun rounds.

The rifle is gas-operated. The OSV-96 is fitted with a optical sight. When fitted with the night sight DS-6, the weapon can destroy the enemy at a range of up to 600 m at night.

The self-loading capability, as well as an efficient muzzle brake considerably reduce the sniper's fatigue and facilitate a high rate of fire.